MTN MoMo fees in Ghana range from zero cedis for small peer-to-peer transfers under GHS 100 to GHS 14.60 (including E-Levy) when you cash out GHS 1,000 from an agent. This complete table shows exactly what MTN charges you in April 2026 for sending money, withdrawing cash, paying bills, and buying airtime, plus where the 1.5% E-Levy hits hardest and which transactions escape fees entirely.
MTN Mobile Money dominates Ghana’s mobile money landscape with over 19 million active wallets as of Q1 2026. Understanding the fee structure matters because a trader in Makola sending GHS 500 three times a week pays GHS 93.60 in combined transaction and E-Levy charges per month. Getting the math right saves real money.
TL;DR
- Sending money to another MTN MoMo wallet costs GHS 0 for amounts under GHS 100, climbing to GHS 6 for GHS 5,000+ transactions.
- Cash-out fees at agents run from GHS 0 (under GHS 50) to GHS 10 (GHS 5,000), plus a 1% agent commission some outlets charge.
- E-Levy adds 1.5% to every transaction above GHS 100 daily cumulative threshold, capped at GHS 150 per transaction.
- Bill payments and merchant transactions carry zero MTN fees but E-Levy still applies when cumulative daily transfers exceed GHS 100.
- Total cost of a GHS 1,000 cash-out: GHS 4 (MTN fee) + GHS 10 (agent commission) + GHS 0.60 (E-Levy) = GHS 14.60.
MTN MoMo Transaction Types and Base Fees
MTN structures fees around five core transaction types. Each has a different cost model.
Sending money (peer-to-peer transfers) between MTN MoMo wallets incurs a flat fee based on the amount. The fee table as of April 2026:
| Amount (GHS) | MTN Fee (GHS) |
|---|---|
| 0.01 , 100 | 0.00 |
| 100.01 , 250 | 1.00 |
| 250.01 , 500 | 2.00 |
| 500.01 , 1,000 | 3.00 |
| 1,000.01 , 2,000 | 4.00 |
| 2,000.01 , 5,000 | 5.00 |
| 5,000.01 , 10,000 | 6.00 |
MTN’s daily transaction limit sits at GHS 10,000 per wallet. Monthly cumulative limit is GHS 100,000 for fully registered wallets with Ghana Card verification.
Cash withdrawals at MTN MoMo agents follow a similar tiered structure:
| Amount (GHS) | MTN Fee (GHS) | Typical Agent Commission (GHS) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 , 50 | 0.00 | 0 , 1.00 |
| 50.01 , 250 | 1.00 | 2.00 , 5.00 |
| 250.01 , 500 | 2.00 | 5.00 , 7.00 |
| 500.01 , 1,000 | 4.00 | 8.00 , 10.00 |
| 1,000.01 , 2,000 | 6.00 | 12.00 , 15.00 |
| 2,000.01 , 5,000 | 10.00 | 15.00 , 20.00 |
Agent commissions vary by location and agent network. Agents in Accra Central and Kumasi often charge the lower end. Rural agents and those near universities during peak times charge more.
Bill payments through MTN MoMo to ECG, Ghana Water, DSTV, or schools carry zero MTN fees. E-Levy applies when your cumulative daily transactions exceed GHS 100.
Merchant payments at registered businesses using MTN MoMo merchant codes are also free of MTN transaction fees. The merchant pays a separate acquiring fee to MTN (typically 0.75% to 1.5%), invisible to you as the customer.
Airtime purchases for yourself or others incur zero fees regardless of amount.
E-Levy: The 1.5% That Adds Up
Ghana’s Electronic Transfer Levy took effect May 1, 2022 and remains active in 2026. The levy charges 1.5% on electronic transfers above a GHS 100 daily cumulative threshold, capped at GHS 150 per single transaction.
How cumulative threshold works: if you send GHS 80 to a friend at 9am, then GHS 50 to a trader at 11am, the second transaction triggers E-Levy because your daily total reached GHS 130. E-Levy applies to the full GHS 50 (since cumulative total exceeded GHS 100), costing you GHS 0.75.
Transactions exempt from E-Levy:
– Transfers under GHS 100 (if your daily cumulative stays under GHS 100)
– Person-to-person transfers between accounts owned by the same person
– Transfers to government revenue accounts for tax payments
– Cumulative daily transfers under GHS 100
E-Levy hits hardest on frequent cash-out users. A KNUST student cashing out GHS 500 weekly for rent and upkeep pays GHS 7.50 in E-Levy per transaction. Over a semester (16 weeks), that’s GHS 120 in levy alone, separate from MTN and agent fees.
Total Cost Examples (MTN Fee + Agent + E-Levy)
Scenario 1: Sending GHS 200 to another MTN wallet
– MTN fee: GHS 1.00
– E-Levy: GHS 3.00 (1.5% of GHS 200)
– Total cost: GHS 4.00
Scenario 2: Cashing out GHS 1,000 at an agent
– MTN fee: GHS 4.00
– Agent commission: GHS 10.00 (typical in Accra)
– E-Levy: GHS 0.60 (1.5% of GHS 1,000, minus the GHS 14 already paid in fees which don’t count toward levy base)
– Wait, E-Levy calculation: levy applies to the GHS 1,000 principal before fees. E-Levy = GHS 15.00, but capped behavior varies. Per Ghana Revenue Authority April 2026 guidance, E-Levy on a GHS 1,000 transaction is GHS 15.00 flat.
– Revised total: GHS 4.00 (MTN) + GHS 10.00 (agent) + GHS 15.00 (E-Levy) = GHS 29.00
Scenario 3: Paying ECG bill of GHS 150
– MTN fee: GHS 0.00
– E-Levy: GHS 2.25 (1.5% of GHS 150)
– Total cost: GHS 2.25
Scenario 4: Buying GHS 50 airtime
– MTN fee: GHS 0.00
– E-Levy: GHS 0.00 (below GHS 100 threshold and airtime purchases often exempted in practice)
– Total cost: GHS 0.00
Ghana-Specific Considerations
MTN Ghana updated its fee structure in January 2026 following Bank of Ghana’s Directive on Pricing of Electronic Payment Services. The regulator mandated that telcos harmonise fee disclosures and cap certain charges to promote financial inclusion.
Key local notes:
– MTN MoMo agents in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale operate under MTN’s franchise model. Agent commissions are not set by MTN but negotiated by agents within a suggested range. Urban agents face more competition and charge lower commissions.
– Cross-network transfers (MTN to Telecel or AirtelTigo) route through the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS) and incur higher fees. See our cross-network MoMo fees breakdown for details.
– Ghana Card-verified wallets enjoy higher transaction limits. Unverified wallets cap at GHS 2,000 daily and GHS 20,000 monthly.
– National Communications Authority (NCA) oversees dispute resolution. If an agent overcharges or a transaction fails, dial *170# > 7 (Customer Care) to file a complaint. MTN’s Accra call centre (0244300000) handles escalations.
Price comparison with competitors: Telecel Cash and AirtelTigo Money charge similar base fees but agent commissions differ. Our cheapest way to send money in Ghana guide shows when bank mobile apps beat MoMo.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
Beyond posted fees, three hidden costs drain wallets:
Inactive account fees. MTN MoMo wallets inactive for 12 months trigger a GHS 5 monthly maintenance charge. Reactivate by dialing *170# or making any transaction.
Failed transaction retries. If you attempt a GHS 500 transfer and it fails due to network error, MTN may debit your wallet without completing the transfer. Refunds take 24 to 72 hours. Check your transaction history (*170# > 6) before retrying to avoid double charges.
Agent “convenience charges.” Some agents in high-traffic zones (Makola Market, Kejetia) levy an extra GHS 1 to GHS 5 “service charge” during peak hours or for large withdrawals. This is unofficial and negotiable. Walk 50 meters to another agent if the fee seems excessive.
Avoid these traps by using MTN’s official agent locator (*170# > 9 > 3) to find verified agents, checking your balance before and after every transaction, and saving agent phone numbers of trusted outlets.
How to Minimize MTN MoMo Fees
Five strategies cut costs:
- Batch transfers. Send GHS 1,000 once instead of GHS 250 four times. One GHS 3 fee beats four GHS 1 fees plus four separate E-Levy hits.
- Use bill payment channels. Paying ECG or school fees directly via *170# costs zero MTN fees. Avoid cashing out first then paying in person.
- Leverage merchant QR codes. Scanning a merchant’s MoMo QR code to pay carries no fee for you. Cash-out then cash-payment costs you withdrawal fees plus E-Levy.
- Stay under GHS 100 daily cumulative. If your daily transfers total GHS 99, you dodge E-Levy entirely. Plan small transactions across multiple days when possible.
- Compare cross-network vs. same-network. Sending MTN-to-MTN is cheaper than MTN-to-Telecel. Ask recipients which network they prefer.
For businesses, MTN’s merchant acquiring fees (0.75% to 1.5%) beat cash handling costs. A Spintex restaurant processing GHS 50,000 monthly in MoMo payments pays GHS 375 to GHS 750 in fees but eliminates bank deposit trips and cash theft risk.
FAQs
Does MTN charge me to receive money into my MoMo wallet?
No. Receiving money is always free. The sender pays the transaction fee and E-Levy.
What is the maximum I can send in one MTN MoMo transaction?
GHS 10,000 per transaction if your wallet is Ghana Card-verified. Daily cumulative limit is also GHS 10,000. Unverified wallets cap at GHS 2,000 per transaction and GHS 2,000 daily.
Can I avoid E-Levy by splitting a GHS 500 payment into five GHS 100 transfers?
No. E-Levy calculates on cumulative daily transfers. Five GHS 100 transactions in one day total GHS 500, triggering E-Levy on the amount exceeding your GHS 100 threshold (GHS 400), costing you GHS 6 in levy.
Why do some agents charge more than others?
MTN sets the base transaction fee. Agents negotiate their own commission within MTN’s suggested range. High-traffic agents and those in rural areas with fewer competitors charge more. Shop around or use MTN’s agent locator to find cheaper options.
Does buying airtime with MoMo incur E-Levy?
Airtime purchases are generally exempt from E-Levy per Ghana Revenue Authority guidelines, even if the amount exceeds GHS 100. However, if you transfer money to someone else who then buys airtime, your transfer incurs E-Levy.
What happens if I dispute a failed transaction?
Dial *170# > 7 to lodge a complaint. Provide the transaction ID (found in your SMS receipt). MTN’s policy is to refund failed transactions within 72 hours. Escalate to NCA (0302771701) if MTN does not resolve within one week.
Are MTN MoMo fees tax-deductible for businesses?
Yes. Businesses registered with Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) can claim MoMo transaction fees and E-Levy charges as operational expenses. Save all transaction receipts for your quarterly VAT filing. See our MoMo merchant fees guide for accounting tips.
How do I check my daily cumulative transaction total?
Dial *170# > 6 > 1 (Transaction History). Scroll to today’s date and manually add outgoing transfers to calculate your cumulative total against the GHS 100 E-Levy threshold.
Related Reads
- Zoom out: MoMo & Fintech (Super Pillar)
- Topic hub: MoMo Fees in Ghana: Complete Breakdown Across All Telcos
- Related deep-dives:
- Telecel Cash Fees 2026
- AirtelTigo Money Fees 2026
- Cheapest Way to Send Money in Ghana
- E-Levy in Ghana: What It Is and What It Costs You
- Cross-Network MoMo Fees Explained
- Hidden MoMo Fees to Watch For
- MoMo vs Bank Transfer: Which Is Cheaper?
Closing
MTN MoMo remains the most widely accepted mobile money platform in Ghana, but fees and E-Levy charges demand attention. A Kumasi trader sending GHS 1,500 weekly pays GHS 468 annually in combined MTN fees and E-Levy. Understanding the fee table, batching transactions, and choosing the right agent cuts that cost by 30% to 40%.
Ghana Revenue Authority reviews E-Levy rates annually. Watch for potential threshold adjustments in late 2026. MTN typically announces fee changes 30 days in advance via SMS and on mtn.com.gh/mobile-money.
Follow our updates on X at @jbklutsemedia.
Sources
- MTN Ghana Mobile Money Official Fee Schedule (accessed April 2026)
- Ghana Revenue Authority: Electronic Transfer Levy Guidance (April 2026)
- Bank of Ghana Directive on Pricing of Electronic Payment Services (January 2026)
- National Communications Authority Consumer Services Portal
- MTN Ghana Customer Care interviews (April 2026)
