Commercial drivers across Ghana are set to benefit from a new digital payments initiative aimed at reducing the challenges associated with handling cash, following the launch of the Ride with MoMo programme by MobileMoney Fintech Limited.
Speaking at the Ride with Momo launch, the Chief Executive Officer of MobileMoney Fintech Limited, Shaibu Haruna, said although driving itself is relatively straightforward, managing cash payments remains one of the greatest difficulties faced by commercial transport operators.
To illustrate the challenge, he recounted the experience of his niece, who paid a GH¢42 fare with a GH¢100 note. The driver reportedly spent about 10 minutes searching for change before telling her, “Madam, the driving is the easy part. It is the money that is hard.”
Mr Haruna said the story reflects the daily reality for thousands of commercial drivers, who frequently lose valuable working time searching for change while also facing the risks of carrying cash, including theft, counterfeit notes and reconciliation difficulties.
He noted that cash management presents additional challenges for fleet owners, many of whom still rely on memory or handwritten records to reconcile drivers’ daily collections.
At the same time, numerous drivers receive transport fares through their personal mobile money wallets, making it difficult to separate personal finances from business income.
According to Haruna, the newly launched Ride with MoMo initiative seeks to address these challenges by encouraging drivers across the country’s transport sector—including ride-hailing drivers, taxi operators and commercial riders—to adopt the MoMo Merchant platform.
He explained that the initiative is designed to promote transparency, simplify fare payments and enable drivers to use their earnings digitally to pay for business expenses such as fuel, vehicle spare parts and road tolls.
As part of the programme, MobileMoney Fintech Limited has partnered with the Digital Transport Workers Union (DTWU) and Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS) to facilitate interoperable digital payments through the GHQR platform.
Under the system, passengers can simply scan a QR code displayed inside a vehicle using the MoMo application or any GHQR-compatible payment application to complete transactions instantly, eliminating the need to exchange phone numbers or carry cash.
To encourage participation, the company has introduced a range of incentives, including rewards for drivers who register during the launch period, monthly loyalty points for active users and prizes for top-performing merchant drivers.
Mr Haruna said the initiative extends beyond cashless payments and is intended to strengthen financial inclusion within Ghana’s transport industry.
By building verifiable digital transaction histories, he explained, drivers will be better positioned to demonstrate the performance of their businesses to financial institutions, potentially improving access to short-term credit for vehicle maintenance, repairs and other operational needs.
He described Ride with MoMo as the foundation of a broader digital financial ecosystem that will empower commercial drivers, improve operational efficiency and support the continued digital transformation of Ghana’s transport sector.
