Insight on Buy Now Pay Later Phones in Ghana

The “Buy Now, Pay Later” (BNPL) model is transforming smartphone ownership in Ghana, making it possible for people who cannot afford the full cost upfront to walk away with a new device. This article explores the key players, how the schemes work, and what it means for Ghanaians.

Introduction

A new smartphone can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand cedis. For many Ghanaians, especially those in the informal sector or on lower incomes, paying that amount upfront is simply not possible. Yet having a smartphone is no longer a luxury—it is essential for work, mobile money transactions, education, and staying connected.

This is where Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) phone schemes come in. These plans allow customers to take home a phone immediately after paying a small initial deposit, with the balance spread over weeks or months. They are changing who can own a smartphone and how people access the digital economy.

Major BNPL Phone Providers in Ghana

MTN “Pick and Pay Later”

MTN Ghana’s “Pick and Pay Later” is one of the most popular phone financing schemes in the country. It is offered in partnership with Access Bank Ghana PLC, MobileMoney Ltd, and other partners including Hollard Insurance and Atlantic Phones .

How it works:

• You dial *170# and go to Financial Services → Loans → Device Pick and Pay Later 

• MTN checks your creditworthiness using a credit-scoring engine 

• Upon approval, you pay a small initial deposit via Mobile Money

• You visit a designated MTN service centre with your Ghana Card to collect the phone

• You pay the remaining balance monthly over 4 or 6 months via MoMo 

Devices available: Samsung smartphones such as Samsung A05, Samsung A15, and Samsung A25 are typically on offer .

Important features:

• Insurance coverage is included for theft and accidental damage 

• Customers get up to 3GB free data bundle every month for 6 months 

• The device remains on credit until full payment is completed 

• If you default, the phone is locked after 24 hours 

MaxBuy

MaxBuy describes itself as Ghana’s leading retail electronics store, with branches across the country including in East Legon, Achimota Mall, and Takoradi . The company caters to all income levels—from high-income earners to low-income households .

Key features:

• Customers can either pay cash or take advantage of the buy-now-pay-later policy 

• Products include Samsung phones, iPhones, Tecno, Infinix, and itel 

• MaxBuy offers significant promotions, including up to 50% discounts on all products 

Fido Mobile Device BNPL

Fido, a digital lending platform, has partnered with MaxBuy to offer a “Mobile Device: Buy Now, Pay Later” program .

Key features:

• Available to all eligible Fido customers across Ghana 

• Customers can get a brand-new Tecno or Infinix smartphone and spread the cost across up to 6 equal installments 

• Access is through the Fido App, with quick eligibility checks 

Credit Mall – Ascend Smartphone Financing

Credit Mall Limited launched the “Ascend Smartphone Financing Initiative” to include more low-income individuals in the digital space .

How it works:

• A 10% down payment is required 

• The remaining cost must be paid within six months 

• Customers can pay daily, weekly, or monthly 

• Currently, Android phones such as Samsung, Tecno, and Infinix are available 

• Defaulters have their mobile devices locked 

Hala GH

Hala GH offers a “buy now, pay later” plan for Samsung smartphones with a simple registration process requiring only a Ghana Card and a guarantor .

Key features:

• Requires a minimum deposit of GH¢300 

• Balance is spread over four months 

• Samsung models available include Galaxy A06, A07, A16, and A17, with more expected 

• Uses Samsung Knox Guard to lock devices if payment terms are not honoured 

Softpayy Ghana

Softpayy Ghana, founded in 2022, offers electronics and home appliances on credit through a BNPL system . The platform provides a variety of products including televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and kitchen appliances .

Motito (PaySmallSmall)

Motito operates a “PaySmallSmall” layaway-first plan designed for Ghana’s economic realities, where prices change fast and many people earn daily or weekly .

Key features:

• You secure today’s price so inflation does not surprise you 

• You can pay daily, weekly, or monthly 

• By building trust through on-time payments, you unlock “Early Pickup” and can collect your item before completing payment 

Access Bank “Pick Now, Pay Later”

Access Bank relaunched its “Pick Now, Pay Later” product in a fully digitised format that promises loan approvals in minutes .

Key features:

• For a limited time, it offers 0% interest for the first six months 

• Available to salaried customers whose payroll runs through Access Bank 

• Covers household appliances, furniture, building materials, mobile phones, and solar products from partner merchants 

• No paperwork required for eligible applicants 

Common Features of BNPL Phone Schemes

Despite the variety of providers, most BNPL phone schemes in Ghana share common features:

• Initial deposit: A small down payment is required, usually ranging from 10% to about GH¢300 

• Repayment period: Typically 4 to 6 months 

• Device lock for default: If payments are missed, the device is locked or can be reclaimed 

• Creditworthiness assessment: Most providers check your eligibility through a credit scoring system 

• Ghana Card requirement: The Ghana Card is usually required for identification and verification 

Why BNPL Phones Matter for Ordinary Ghanaians

Bridging the Digital Divide

Only 13% of the eligible population in Ghana have access to borrowing . BNPL schemes fill this gap, helping people who qualify for credit but do not have access to traditional financing .

Access to the Digital Economy

Smartphones are essential for accessing mobile money, digital banking, and online services. As Matilda Asante-Asiedu of Access Bank noted, the partnership with MTN aligns with the bank’s goal of promoting financial inclusion and supporting a cash-light economy .

Flexible Payment Options

Unlike traditional loans that require large monthly payments, BNPL schemes often allow daily, weekly, or monthly payments that suit different income patterns .

Price Protection

Motito’s “Keep My Price” feature protects customers against inflation, ensuring they pay the price they agreed to at the time of purchase .

What to Watch Out For

Interest and Fees

While some schemes offer 0% interest for promotional periods , others may charge fees or interest. The total amount paid may exceed the outright purchase price.

Default Consequences

Missing payments can lead to the device being locked or reclaimed . This can also affect your ability to access other credit facilities in the future .

One Active Loan at a Time

Most schemes limit you to one active loan. You must complete payment on your current device before you can get another .

Device Ownership

Ownership typically only transfers to you after full payment . Until then, the device remains on credit.

ASJ Conclusion

Buy Now Pay Later phone schemes are making smartphone ownership more accessible in Ghana than ever before. Whether through MTN’s Pick and Pay Later, MaxBuy, Hala GH, or newer platforms like Motito, these schemes are helping ordinary Ghanaians get the devices they need for work, education, and daily transactions.

However, it is important to understand the terms—interest rates, repayment periods, and the consequences of default. Used wisely, BNPL can be a powerful tool for financial inclusion and digital empowerment.

Quick Facts

Last Updated on August 29, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

accrastreetjournal.com/