The growing adoption of smartphones has resulted in the rise of mobile applications (apps) over the past few years as brands and service providers compete for the time and attention of users. But how many of the most used apps in Ghana are built and managed in Ghana?
Mobile applications have become an integral part of our daily lives. We want things, and we want them fast, which is what most mobile applications offer. With an ever-growing market, technological advancements, and changing customer demand, mobile applications help businesses stay relevant and competitive. According to the 2022 Global Digital Report, the average Ghanaian internet user spends an average of 4h 35mins using mobile internet daily, with more than 50% of that time spent on mobile applications.
Consumers like applications and are happy to use them; however, most apps fail for a reason. To maintain high mobile engagement, a company must build an app that addresses a problem while providing a great User Experience (UX).
The top 10 smartphone applications listed below accomplish precisely that. And they are all built and managed in Ghana by Ghanaians. For a country whose tech industry is still considered ‘developing,’ the companies behind these mobile applications have been able to build feature-rich applications that compete with global applications in ranking on both Apple App Store and Google Playstore.
At the time of writing this article, on July 13, 2022, the Hubtel App ranked #46 on iOS, AppStore topping global apps like Glovo, Bolt Food and Spotify, and #39 on Google Play Store. Other apps like the GhanaPay app and My Vodafone (Ghana) ranked #78 and #79 respectively on iOS.
Take a look at the top 10 trending apps in Ghana built and managed in Ghana:
1. Hubtel
Unlike most of the apps on this list that offers a one-type service, the Hubtel app offers messaging, payment, and quick commerce all in one app. You can order food from your favourite restaurant, buy a new phone, buy airtime and internet data, pay for your DSTV subscription, and send money to anyone via Mobile Money or bank account without jumping between apps. The app was built by a team of developers at Hubtel Limited and is currently managed by the team in-house.
2. GhanaPay
GhanaPay is a wallet service by banks in Ghana, that allows users to enjoy affordable financial services at very low charges. With GhanaPay, users can send money, pay bills, buy airtime from all network and pay for goods and services. The app comes with great value-added services such as a savings pot, crowdfunding (susu), sponsored wallet, round-the-cloud support, fuel top-ups etc.
3. My Vodafone Ghana
Vodafone Ghana’s “My Vodafone Ghana” app helps customers buy airtime, internet bundles, send money through Vodafone cash, find the nearest retail store, and track your data usage, and any other applicable service you can think of.
4. ECG Power
The ECG app by the Electricity Company of Ghana is built to make paying prepaid and post-paid bills convenient. You can also track and monitor your power usage to ensure you are always powered up. The app supports payment via MTN MobileMoney, Vodafone Cash, and AirtelTigo Money. It is one of the most used Ghanaian-built apps by Ghanaians.
5. GhanaPostGPS
The GhanaPost GPS app is one of the most popular apps in Ghana. It was introduced in 2017 to solve the digital addressing system in Ghana. It was one of the first significant projects commissioned by the government of Ghana in its attempt at digitization. With the introduction of the app, most places in Ghana have a digital address which is a major requirement for many registration processes in Ghana.
6. KNUST AIM
The Academic Information Manager (AIM) is the official mobile app for students of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. It is developed by the University Information Technology Services (UITS). It is a mobile companion of the online student portal which is also a part of the KNUST Student Information System. Its main objective is to bring functions of the online student portal mobile devices.
7. GCB Bank Mobile App
The GCB Mobile app allows customers to conduct financial transactions remotely using a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. It includes obtaining account balance, lists of latest transactions, funds transfers between a customer’s or another’s accounts and QR code payment.
8. GWCL App
The GWCL App is a mobile application that helps Ghanaians pay their water bills conveniently. Users of this app can pay with all available payment options; MTNMobile Money, Vodafone Cash, AirtelTigo Cash, etc. The app is helpful; beyond paying the bill, you can request services without visiting their offices. So convenient.
Tondo
Tondo is a relatively new app, compared to the rest of the apps on this list, and it seems the community loves the experience it offers. It instantly connects you to your local community. It is a live social media feed, bursting with news, questions, events, confessionals and jokes. Tondo unites the community around you and gives you the tools to experience everything your city of Accra has to offer.
10. Achieve
Achieve is a digital platform that provides you with carefully curated financial solutions and plans to help you achieve your financial goals. With Achieve, you can say goodbye to the daunting task of searching for the investment vehicle that fits you best.
The Achieve app welcomes easy investing right from the comfort of your phone, or tablet.