{
  "id": 19818025,
  "title": "Ghana’s economy no longer controlled in boardrooms, now powered by millions of small transactions – Hubtel CEO Alex Bram",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/ghanas-economy-no-longer-controlled-in-boardrooms-now-powered-by",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-13T14:28:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general/ghanas-economy-no-longer-controlled-in-boardrooms-now-powered-by-millions-of-small-transactions-hubtel-ceo-alex-bram/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Hubtel CEO Alex Bram asserts that Ghana’s economy has moved away from boardrooms and is now driven by millions of small transactions. During the launch of Albrim Pay Small Small, a product by Albrim Microfinance, Mr. Bram highlighted the significant shift that occurred following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He observed that during that time, the entire economic power of the country was controlled from boardrooms, but this has since changed. According to Bram, if all mobile money and electronic transactions were combined, they would account for almost GH¢6 trillion, while the GDP ranges from GH¢1.3 trillion to GH¢1.4 trillion. He emphasized that Ghana boasts one of the most active transaction economies in Africa, primarily built on micro-transactions such as small payments among individuals, market payments, airtime top-ups, and electricity purchases. However, he identified a major obstacle: the economy's reliance on cash and debit payments. Bram explained that this reliance is the missing ingredient holding Ghana back, as the rest of the world increasingly operates on credit. In developed countries, 40% of the adult population holds a credit instrument, allowing for delayed payments. In contrast, Ghana's system is predominantly debit-based. If a wallet owner runs out of cash, commerce comes to a halt. Bram stressed that this issue is not due to a lack of hard work or unwillingness among Ghana's people, but rather the system's failure to credit their efforts. As a leading middle-income country in Africa, Ghana now faces the challenge of transitioning to a high-income status, similar to other nations that have achieved this milestone. Bram concluded by stating that the launch of Albrim Pay Small Small aims to address this critical gap and help propel Ghana's economy forward.",
  "summary": "The Chief Executive Officer of Hubtel, Alex Bram, says Ghana’s economic power has shifted decisively from boardrooms to ordinary people. However, he notes that the country’s rapidly expanding digital economy remains constrained by its heavy reliance on cash and debit payments. Speaking at the launch of Albrim Pay Small Small, a new product by Albrim […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana's economy shifting from boardrooms to millions of small transactions",
    "Mobile money and electronic transactions account for nearly GH¢6 trillion",
    "Reliance on cash and debit payments hinders economic growth"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}