Bank of Ghana Blacklists 20 Unlicensed Online Loan Apps in Fresh Crackdown

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has published a list of 20 mobile loan applications operating illegally in the country, warning the public to stop engaging with the unlicensed digital credit providers.

The Full List of Blacklisted Apps
In a public notice dated August 3, 2026, and signed by the Secretary of the Bank, Aimee Vyda Quashie, the central bank named popular-sounding applications including Sika Tap, CediGo, PoPoCedi, and SikaPa Loan, alongside Adamfo Loan, Agyapacredit, Amanfi Loan, Arco Cash, Aya Lend, Bucks Now, CGrab, DumboCash, FCash, Gh Loans, Gh Loans Pro, Hasty Credit, Newgry Money Tree, Omanpesa, Ready Money, and Zigwe Loan.

A Breach of 2025 Digital Lending Rules

According to the BoG, these platforms have continued providing digital credit to Ghanaians through online channels without the requisite licence or authorization, in flagrant violation of the Directive for Digital Credit Service Providers in Ghana published in September 2025. The notice was issued under Public Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2026/25.

The central bank warned that the continued operations of these unlicensed entities pose risks to consumers, particularly in areas relating to customer data privacy, consumer protection, and compliance with regulatory standards, noting separately that some of the apps collect excessive amounts of personal information once installed on users' phones.

Financial Institutions Ordered to Cut Them Off

To choke off the apps' operating infrastructure, the BoG directed all licensed financial institutions including banks, Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions (SDIs), and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) to refrain from facilitating or processing any transactions on behalf of these unlicensed entities.

Part of a Wider Enforcement Push
This is not an isolated action. Ourhomeland reports that the latest notice follows an earlier warning from the central bank on the same issue, signaling that the BoG is intensifying enforcement against unregulated digital lenders that have operated with relative impunity, often paired with predatory lending terms and aggressive debt-recovery tactics.

The Bank of Ghana said it will continue collaborating with relevant state institutions to identify, investigate, and take appropriate enforcement action against such entities in order to safeguard consumers and uphold the integrity and stability of the financial sector.

What Ghanaians Should Do
Members of the public are advised to:
Avoid downloading or transacting with any of the 20 blacklisted apps

Delete the apps if already installed, and change any passwords shared with them

Verify a lender's licence status with the BoG before borrowing or submitting personal data

Monitor bank accounts and Ghana Card activity for suspicious transactions if they've previously used one of these platforms

Report suspicious digital lenders through the Bank of Ghana's official complaint channels

Mustapha Bature Sallama.
Medical/ Science Communicator,
Private Investigator, Criminal investigation and Intelligence Analysis.

International Conflict Management and Peace Building.USIP

[email protected]
+233-555-275-880
References:
Graphic Online "Sika Tap, CediGo, PoPoCedi named: Full list of 20 illegal loan apps blacklisted by Bank of Ghana"

Sikaman Times "Bank of Ghana calls out 20 unlicensed digital loan apps"

Omanghana "Bank of Ghana Blacklists 20 Unlicensed Digital Loan Apps"