Ghana’s new Electronic Transactions Bill, 2025 could reshape how online businesses operate by introducing the country’s most comprehensive digital consumer protection regime yet.
What’s new
- Transparency: Every online seller must display their legal name, address, registration details, and refund policy — no more anonymous accounts.
- Refund rights: Consumers can cancel an order within 14 days of delivery (7 for services) and get a full refund.
- Spam ban: Sending unsolicited marketing messages without consent could lead to ₵60,000 fines or 10 years in prison.
- Secure payments: Businesses are liable for losses if their digital payment systems aren’t secure.
- Data privacy: Banks and fintechs can’t sell customer payment lists or share data without notice.
Why it matters
Ghana’s e-commerce market has exploded, but fraud, fake sellers, and weak refund systems have eroded consumer trust. The Bill aims to rebuild that trust and align Ghana’s digital market with global standards like the EU’s consumer protection laws.
Between the lines
Small online sellers — especially those operating informally through Instagram or TikTok — could bear the brunt of the new rules, which could price them out or push them underground.
