From telecom giants and pan-African fintechs to homegrown startups and retail leaders, a diverse group of companies is driving the Buy Now Pay Later revolution in Ghana. This ASJ article profiles the key players making smartphone ownership accessible to millions.
The BNPL Phone Landscape: A Diverse Ecosystem
Ghana’s Buy Now Pay Later phone market is not dominated by a single company. Instead, it features a mix of different players, each with their own unique business model and target audience. The key players include:
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Telecom Operators – Using mobile money platforms to offer financing.
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Pan-African Fintechs – Bringing proven pay-as-you-go models to the Ghanaian market.
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Homegrown Ghanaian Startups – Innovating with local solutions.
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Retail Electronics Leaders – Offering flexible payment options to all income groups.
1. MTN Ghana: Pick and Pay Later
MTN’s “Pick and Pay Later” is one of the most popular phone financing schemes in Ghana, offered in partnership with Access Bank Ghana PLC, MobileMoney Ltd, and other partners including Hollard Insurance and Atlantic Phones .
Business Model
The service is deeply integrated with MTN’s Mobile Money (MoMo) ecosystem. Customers dial *170#, and MTN assesses their creditworthiness using an in-house credit scoring engine . Upon approval, customers pay an initial deposit via MoMo and collect the device from selected MTN service centres .
Key Features
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Devices: Samsung smartphones such as the A05, A15, and A25 are typically available .
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Payment Terms: Repayment is over four or six months via monthly MoMo payments .
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Insurance: The scheme includes coverage for theft and accidental damage .
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Default: If a customer defaults, the smartphone is locked after 24 hours .
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Credit Limitations: Customers are limited to one active loan at a time .
This model demonstrates how a large telecom can leverage its existing mobile money infrastructure to provide affordable credit. As Noel Kojo-Ganson, MTN Ghana’s Chief Commercial Officer, stated, “We believe every Ghanaian deserves access to high-speed internet and a good smartphone” .
2. M-KOPA
M-KOPA is a pan-African fintech that has made a significant impact in Ghana since launching in 2021. The company has unlocked over GHS 1.2 billion in credit for more than 550,000 customers .
Business Model
M-KOPA operates a pay-as-you-go model where customers make daily payments, typically based on the total cost divided by 365 days . The company uses a network of over 3,000 direct sales agents who go door-to-door to reach customers across all 16 regions of Ghana .
Key Features
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Bundled Services: M-KOPA’s “More than a Phone” offering bundles health insurance (through a partnership with Turaco), data, and device protection directly into every device . This makes the smartphone a comprehensive tool for digital and financial inclusion.
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Impact: 67% of customers accessed health insurance for the first time through M-KOPA . 55% of customers use their device for income generation, and 76% report improved quality of life .
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Devices: M-KOPA offers its own X-Series smartphones (in partnership with HMD) and other brands .
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Customer Base: The model is designed for “Every Day Earners” – people who earn income on a daily basis .
M-KOPA’s success shows the power of integrating insurance and other digital services with device financing. The company’s General Manager, Chioma Agogo, noted, “We’re proving that bundling meaningful services with connectivity changes what people can achieve” .
3. MaxBuy
MaxBuy describes itself as Ghana’s leading retail electronics store, with branches across the country .
Business Model
MaxBuy’s model is to serve customers across all income levels, from high-income earners to low-income households. Its buy-now-pay-later policy allows customers who may not have the full amount upfront to purchase products and pay over time .
Key Features
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Products: The store offers a wide range of brands including Samsung phones, iPhones, Tecno, Infinix, itel, and various home appliances .
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Partnerships: MaxBuy has partnered with Fido, a digital lending platform, to offer BNPL financing for smartphones .
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Promotions: The company offers significant promotions, including up to 50% discounts on selected products .
The Marketing Manager, Rita Osei Tetteh, explained, “Our target market is everyone, regardless of income level” . This approach positions MaxBuy as an accessible option for a wide range of consumers.
4. Hala GH
Hala GH is a proudly Ghanaian company launched in late 2025 to make high-quality smartphones accessible and affordable .
Business Model
Hala GH’s financing model requires an initial deposit as low as GH¢300, with the remaining balance spread over four months . The registration process requires a Ghana Card and a guarantor, ensuring a responsible financing experience .
Key Features
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Devices: The company offers a range of Samsung Galaxy smartphones, including the A06, A07, A16, and A17 .
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Security: Hala GH uses Samsung Knox Guard to lock devices if payment agreements are not followed, creating a transparent lending environment .
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Partnerships: The company works with trusted partners in Ghana’s electronics and mobile industry, including Technology R US, Capital Phones, and others .
Hala GH’s model exemplifies how a Ghanaian startup can build a reliable BNPL system using simple verification processes and enterprise-grade technology.
5. Motito
Motito operates a “PaySmallSmall” layaway-first plan designed for Ghana’s economic realities .
Business Model
Motito’s model is a layaway-first plan where customers secure today’s price so inflation does not increase the cost. Customers pay in installments (daily, weekly, or monthly) and collect the item after they have paid enough .
Key Features
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Trust-Based Access: By building trust through on-time payments, customers unlock “Early Pickup” and can collect items before completing payment .
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Price Protection: The “Keep My Price” (KMP) feature protects customers against inflation .
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Investors: Motito has raised funding from notable investors including Visa Accelerator and Ecobank Transnational .
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Eligibility: Customers need a valid Ghanaian phone number, MTN MoMo or Telecel Money, and a Ghana Card for KYC verification .
Motito’s business model shows how a startup can build a BNPL system that addresses the specific needs of the Ghanaian market, including price inflation and daily income patterns.
Quick Comparison of Top BNPL Phone Companies
| Company | Business Model | Key Offerings | Key Partner(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTN Pick and Pay Later | Telecom-led credit scoring & MoMo financing | Samsung A Series | Access Bank, Hollard Insurance |
| M-KOPA | Pay-as-you-go (daily payments) | X-Series, data, health insurance | Turaco, HMD |
| MaxBuy | Retail electronics with flexible payments | Samsung, iPhone, Tecno, Infinix | Fido |
| Hala GH | Device financing with guarantor & deposit | Samsung Galaxy Series | Various Ghanaian electronics firms |
| Motito | Layaway-first with price protection | Various electronics | Visa Accelerator, Ecobank |
ASJ Conclusion
The top companies in Ghana’s BNPL phone business model represent a diverse and innovative ecosystem. From the scale and reach of MTN’s integrated MoMo financing to the impactful, inclusive model of M-KOPA, from the retail accessibility of MaxBuy to the locally-focused designs of Hala GH and Motito, each player is helping to bridge the digital divide.
These companies are not just selling phones; they are unlocking economic opportunity, providing first-time access to health insurance and digital services, and empowering millions of Ghanaians to participate in the digital economy. As Matilda Asante-Asiedu of Access Bank noted, with only 13% of the eligible population having access to borrowing, these BNPL models are critical for financial inclusion .
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which companies offer Buy Now Pay Later phones in Ghana?
The leading BNPL phone companies in Ghana include MTN (Pick and Pay Later), M-KOPA, MaxBuy, Hala GH, and Motito.
2. What is MTN Pick and Pay Later?
MTN Pick and Pay Later is a smartphone financing scheme that allows MTN customers to acquire Samsung phones through a credit check, pay an initial deposit via MoMo, and repay the balance over 4 or 6 months. It includes insurance for theft and accidental damage .
3. How does M-KOPA work?
M-KOPA offers pay-as-you-go smartphone financing for “Every Day Earners.” Customers make daily payments and receive a smartphone bundled with health insurance, data, and device protection .
4. What devices are available from Hala GH?
Hala GH offers Samsung Galaxy smartphones, including the A06, A07, A16, and A17, with more models expected .
5. What is Motito’s business model?
Motito offers a layaway-first “PaySmallSmall” plan where customers secure today’s price and pay in installments. By paying on time, customers can unlock “Early Pickup” and collect items before completing payment .
6. Who finances MaxBuy’s BNPL scheme?
MaxBuy has partnered with Fido, a digital lending platform, to offer mobile device BNPL financing to eligible customers .
7. What are the common features of BNPL phone schemes in Ghana?
Common features include an initial deposit requirement, a repayment period of 4–6 months, device locking for default, creditworthiness checks, and the Ghana Card requirement for verification. Most providers also limit customers to one active loan at a time
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on August 29, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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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.
