How Ghanaians Can Invest in US Stocks

For decades, owning a piece of Apple, Google, or Tesla seemed out of reach for the average Ghanaian. But that has changed. Today, you can buy US stocks directly from your phone in Accra, starting with as little as $10. This ASJ article explains exactly how to do it, which platforms work in Ghana, and what the regulators say about it.

Why Ghanaians Are Looking to US Stocks

The Ghana Stock Exchange offers opportunities, but it is small and concentrated. The US stock market is the largest and most liquid in the world. It gives you access to companies that shape the global economy—technology giants, healthcare innovators, and consumer brands that operate everywhere.

For many Ghanaians, US stocks also serve as a hedge against cedi depreciation. Your investment is denominated in US dollars, so when the cedi weakens, the dollar value of your portfolio holds firm.

The good news is that US brokers and local fintech platforms now make it possible for Ghanaians to participate. Here is how.

Option 1: Local Platforms Built for Ghanaians

Several platforms have emerged specifically to serve Ghanaian investors who want exposure to US markets. These apps handle the regulatory complexity, currency conversion, and local funding methods like mobile money and bank transfers.

Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the most popular platforms for Ghanaians looking to buy US stocks. It was founded by Nigerians and expanded to Ghana in 2022. The app allows you to buy fractional shares of US-listed companies and ETFs, meaning you can invest a fixed cedi amount rather than buying a whole share.

How it works:

1. Download the Bamboo app from the App Store or Google Play Store

2. Complete the sign-up and verification process using a government ID (Ghana Card, passport, or driver’s license)

3. Fund your wallet through mobile money or bank transfer—Bamboo has both a cedi wallet and a dollar wallet

4. Search for the stock you want (e.g., Apple, Google, Tesla)

5. Enter the cedi amount you want to invest and confirm the purchase

Minimum investment: You can start with as little as $10, which makes it accessible for beginners .

Is Bamboo legit? Bamboo has partnered with 10th Capital Investments, a fund manager licensed by Ghana’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It also partners with DriveWealth LLC, a US-regulated broker and member of FINRA and SIPC. This means your US stocks are held through a regulated US entity—if Bamboo shuts down, you can still claim your shares through DriveWealth.

Chipper Cash

Chipper Cash, a cross-border payment platform, received a broker-dealer license from Ghana’s SEC in 2024. This license allows Chipper Cash customers in Ghana to invest in fractional US stocks and ETFs .

The broker-dealer license also grants direct market access, which means faster trade execution and better pricing for users. Chipper Cash already had an Enhanced Payment Service Provider license from the Bank of Ghana, so this expansion into investment services builds on its existing regulatory presence.

Other Platforms Serving Ghana

MomoCalc, a financial comparison site, lists Trove and Chaka as platforms that serve the Ghanaian market alongside Bamboo. All three offer fractional shares, so you can invest a small cedi amount rather than buying a whole share .

Option 2: Global Online Brokers

If you prefer a more established international broker, Interactive Brokers accepts Ghanaians . It is one of the largest and most regulated brokers in the world, with oversight from multiple Tier-1 regulators including the SEC (US), FCA (UK), ASIC (Australia), and others .

How it works:

1. Apply online through the Interactive Brokers website

2. Provide proof of identity (passport, national ID, or driver’s license)

3. Provide proof of address (utility bill or bank statement, issued within the last 6 months)

4. Provide your Tax Identification Number (TIN) from Ghana

5. Fund your account via bank transfer in any of multiple currencies

Interactive Brokers does not require a US Social Security Number for non-US persons. The process is more involved than using a local app, but it gives you access to a broader range of global markets .

Fees: Interactive Brokers charges $0.0005 per share for US stocks and ETFs, with a minimum of $1 per order for international clients .

Option 3: Local Funds with Global Exposure

If you prefer not to open a US brokerage account, you can invest in a Ghanaian collective investment scheme that allocates a portion of its portfolio to foreign securities.

For example, the Bora Global Balanced Trust allocates 70% of its net asset value to offshore securities, including US Treasuries and dividend-paying ETFs like the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF and ProShares S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF. It retains 30% in domestic assets .

The InvestCorp Active Equity Fund also holds US stocks, including Broadcom, NVIDIA, Apple, Alphabet, and Microsoft, though its foreign allocation is much smaller .

This route is simpler—you buy a unit of the fund through a local fund manager—but you pay management fees and you do not control which specific stocks are bought.

Important: The Regulatory Context

In February 2026, Ghana’s SEC issued a directive restricting how much local fund managers can invest offshore. Fund managers licensed to invest locally cannot put more than 20% of their funds under management in foreign securities. Fund managers previously allowed to invest 100% offshore are now capped at 70%, with 30% retained locally .

This directive was designed to protect the cedi and support macroeconomic stability. It does not restrict individual Ghanaians from opening a brokerage account with a US broker or using a platform like Bamboo .

The directive also requires that foreign investments only be made in jurisdictions where the regulator has an information-sharing agreement with Ghana’s SEC .

What to Watch Out For

Currency conversion costs: When you fund a US brokerage account from Ghana, you pay for the cedi-to-dollar conversion. The margin an app applies can meaningfully reduce how much stock your cedis buy. Compare the live USD to GHS rate with the rate your app quotes before funding .

Platform fees: Some platforms charge trading commissions or spreads, and possibly withdrawal fees. Understand the full cost structure before you invest.

Regulatory protection: With platforms like Bamboo, your US stocks are held through a US-regulated broker partner and protected by SIPC (Securities Investor Protection Corporation) up to $500,000 . This is an important safeguard.

Tax obligations: Under current Ghanaian legislation, withholding tax on dividend payments for individuals is 8%. You should also be aware of US tax withholding requirements for non-resident aliens, which your broker will handle through the W-8BEN form .

Quick Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Ghanaians legally buy US stocks?
Yes. The US stock market is open to international investors. Ghanaians can open accounts with US brokers like Interactive Brokers or use local platforms like Bamboo and Chipper Cash that are licensed or partnered with regulated entities .

2. What is the easiest way for a Ghanaian to buy US stocks?
The easiest way is through a local app like Bamboo. You can download it, verify your identity, fund your wallet with mobile money or bank transfer, and buy fractional shares of US stocks starting from around $10.

3. Is Bamboo safe for Ghanaians?
Bamboo has partnered with 10th Capital Investments, licensed by Ghana’s SEC, and DriveWealth LLC, a US broker regulated by FINRA and SIPC. Your US stocks are held through a US-regulated entity, so even if Bamboo shuts down, you can claim your shares through DriveWealth .

4. What is the minimum amount to invest in US stocks from Ghana?
On Bamboo, you can start with as little as $10. On Chaka, the minimum is around $10. Interactive Brokers has no minimum for cash accounts .

5. Can I buy fractional shares of US companies from Ghana?
Yes. Bamboo, Chipper Cash, Trove, and Chaka all offer fractional shares, allowing you to invest a fixed cedi amount rather than buying a whole share .

6. Does Ghana’s SEC restrict investing in foreign securities?
The SEC’s February 2026 directive restricts local fund managers, not individual investors. Fund managers can invest no more than 20% of assets under management in foreign securities. Individuals can still open US brokerage accounts directly .

7. What fees should I expect when buying US stocks from Ghana?
Expect platform fees (trading commissions or spreads), cedi-to-dollar conversion costs, and possibly withdrawal fees. Interactive Brokers charges $0.0005 per share with a $1 minimum for international clients. Compare conversion rates before funding .

8. How do I fund a US brokerage account from Ghana?
You can fund through mobile money (on platforms like Bamboo), bank transfer, or debit card. Interactive Brokers accepts bank transfers in multiple currencies .

9. Are my US stocks protected if the platform fails?
If your platform routes trades through a US broker like DriveWealth, your stocks are held in your name and protected by SIPC up to $500,000. This means you can claim your shares even if the local platform shuts down .

10. Do I pay tax on US stock dividends in Ghana?
Yes. Under current Ghanaian legislation, withholding tax on dividend payments for individuals is 8%. Your broker will also handle US tax withholding for non-resident aliens through the W-8BEN form .

11. What is the SEC foreign investment cap for fund managers?
Local fund managers licensed to invest locally cannot invest more than 20% of funds under management in foreign securities. Managers previously allowed to invest 100% offshore are now capped at 70%, with 30% retained locally .

12. Can I invest in US stocks through a Ghanaian mutual fund?
Yes. Some Ghanaian funds, like the Bora Global Balanced Trust and InvestCorp Active Equity Fund, hold US stocks and ETFs. This is a simpler route but with management fees and less control over specific holdings

Source: Accra Street Journal 

Last Updated on September 18, 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.

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