Online shopping in Ghana is safe when you know who you are paying: a seller you can reach, a shop that shows who it is, and a MoMo name that matches. This guide covers where to shop, how to pay with MoMo safely and the signs of a fake shop. It is published by Makola.io, which hosts online shops for independent sellers.
Where to shop online in Ghana
Most online shopping in Ghana happens in four kinds of place. Each one is safe to use once you know how buying works there.
| Kind of shop | Examples | How buying works |
|---|---|---|
| Large marketplaces | Jumia | Many sellers, one checkout run by the marketplace. |
| Classified ads | Jiji, Tonaton | You contact the seller yourself. Meet in a busy public place and check the item before you pay. |
| Brand and specialist stores | Franko Trading for phones and electronics | You buy from the shop's own official website. |
| Independent sellers | Sellers on Instagram, WhatsApp and TikTok, and shops on platforms such as Makola.io | Often the most personal service. Check the shop against the signs below before you pay. |
The Makola.io shop directory lists independent sellers. Search by shop name, town or region, or browse by category.
How to pay safely with mobile money
Ghana's mobile money networks are MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash and AT Money. These five habits keep your money safe whichever one you use.
- Pay at the shop's checkout. A proper checkout sends a payment prompt to your phone. You approve it with your PIN on your own phone, and the shop sees the payment confirmed without you sending a screenshot.
- Never share your PIN or a code sent to your phone. No genuine shop, delivery rider or payment provider needs your MoMo PIN or a one-time code.
- Paying a seller's own MoMo number is normal. Most small traders take payment that way. Before you confirm, MoMo shows the name the number is registered to. Check that it matches the seller you are dealing with.
- Keep the proof. Save the order number and the payment message until your order arrives and you are happy with it.
- Check the total before you approve. The amount on the payment prompt should match the price plus delivery, nothing more.
Signs of a fake online shop
- The price is far below every other shop. A new phone or a pair of sneakers at half the usual price is the most common bait.
- The name on the MoMo number doesn't match the seller. Paying a trader's own number is normal, but the name MoMo shows before you confirm should be the seller's or the shop's. If it is someone else, stop and ask.
- Nobody answers the phone. A real seller, big or small, picks up or replies, and can tell you what happens if the item is wrong.
- The photos are copied. Search a product photo with Google Lens. If it appears on many other shops or on a brand's own website, the seller may not have the item.
- You are rushed. "Pay now, the offer ends today" is meant to stop you from checking.
Not sure about a shop? Ghana's Cyber Security Authority asks people to call its 292 hotline to check a suspicious online transaction before sending money (Graphic Online, August 2026).
What to agree before you order
Most disappointments come from questions nobody asked before paying. Get these four answers first:
- The total price, including delivery to your area.
- When the order will arrive, and who will bring it.
- What happens if the item is wrong, damaged or doesn't fit.
- A phone or WhatsApp number that a real person answers.
Shop with independent sellers
Many of the best things for sale in Ghana come from small sellers: tailors, hair stylists, shoe and bag sellers, food vendors and electronics shops. Buying from them keeps money with people you can talk to. On the Makola.io directory, each shop has its own page with its products, prices and contact details, so you can check it before you order.
Questions and answers
Is online shopping safe in Ghana?
Yes, when you know who you are paying. Check that the shop shows a real phone number and what happens if an item is wrong, and that the name on the MoMo number matches the seller. Most problems start with a price that is too good to be true.
What are the main online shopping sites in Ghana?
Jumia is a large marketplace with one checkout. Jiji and Tonaton are classified-ad sites where you deal with each seller directly. Many independent sellers also run their own shops, including on Makola.io.
Can I pay for online shopping with MoMo in Ghana?
Yes. Many online shops in Ghana take MTN MoMo, Telecel Cash and AT Money at checkout. Approve the payment prompt on your own phone and never share your PIN.
What should I do if I paid a fake shop?
Call your mobile money network's customer service straight away, then contact the Cyber Security Authority on its 292 hotline and report it to the police. Keep every message, screenshot and payment reference.
Is pay on delivery safer?
It lets you see the item before you pay, so it protects you from a seller who never sends anything. Check the item at the door before you hand over the money.
Looking for independent sellers? Browse the Makola.io shop directory and order from each shop's own page.