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Ghana ramps up digital asset oversight via education

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published Jan. 31 2026Last Updated Jan. 31 2026

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Ghana has taken another step towards formalising its digital asset market following the passage of the Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, known as Act 1154.

The Bank of Ghana has officially launched the National Virtual Assets Literacy Initiative, also referred to as NAVALI, as part of its post-legislation strategy.

The initiative follows Parliament’s approval of the VASP Act, which brings cryptocurrency and blockchain-based financial services under formal regulation.

For several years, Ghana’s central bank had warned citizens about the dangers of engaging with unregulated digital asset platforms.

The new law marks a shift from cautionary guidance to structured supervision and enforcement across the sector.

Act 1154 gives the Bank of Ghana and the Securities and Exchange Commission authority to license and monitor virtual asset service providers.

Regulators are now empowered to sanction operators that fail to comply with the country’s new digital asset rules.

NAVALI is designed as a public-facing programme to support the transition into a regulated crypto market.

The campaign aims to reduce exposure to fraud as digital assets become part of Ghana’s formal financial system.

Education under the initiative will focus on the volatility associated with cryptocurrencies and related products.

Citizens will be taught how to identify licensed virtual asset service providers operating legally in Ghana.

The programme also seeks to address the long-standing issue of scam platforms targeting local investors.

Officials say NAVALI will highlight consumer protections introduced under the VASP Act.

The urgency of the initiative reflects the size of Ghana’s digital asset user base.

Estimates suggest nearly three million Ghanaians, around 17 per cent of the adult population, are active in the market.

Informal digital asset transactions in Ghana are believed to exceed $3 billion annually.

“Effective regulation and enforcement cannot be achieved by regulators alone,”

Johnson Asiama said.

“The entire ecosystem must be adequately prepared through a sound understanding of virtual asset activities, their implications, and associated risks.”

Asiama added.

The literacy campaign coincides with progress on Ghana’s central bank digital currency project, the e-cedi.

Authorities have clarified that cryptocurrencies remain outside legal tender status for debt settlement.

The new framework allows digital assets to be exchanged legally and used as investment instruments.

Industry observers say clearer rules could unlock new fintech opportunities in the country.

Analysts believe the combination of regulation and education will attract international partners.

Local startups are expected to benefit from greater confidence in blockchain-based services.

Remittances and cross-border trade are seen as key areas for future blockchain adoption in Ghana.