The Chief Executive Officer of Mobile Money Limited (MML), Haruna Shaibu, has called on consumers, lenders and policymakers to prioritise responsible borrowing practices as digital credit services continue to expand at scale across Ghana and Africa.
Speaking to journalists after the 3i Africa Summit 2026 in Accra, Mr. Shaibu acknowledged that digital lending platforms have dramatically widened access to credit, particularly for first-time borrowers who were previously excluded from formal financial services. However, he said the pace of expansion makes it increasingly urgent to pair that access with stronger consumer protection frameworks and financial discipline on both sides of the lending relationship.
“Digital lending in Ghana and across Africa is expanding,” Shaibu said, adding that MML is actively working to connect with customers around the importance of repaying obligations on time.
He stressed that lenders carry a responsibility to ensure transparent product design and clear pricing so borrowers fully understand the true cost of credit before committing. Customers, he added, should be given the opportunity to compare loan products and make informed decisions rather than accepting the first available option.
Shaibu was direct about the consequences of default. He explained that when borrowers fail to repay, operators are forced to factor that risk into their pricing models, raising the cost of credit for responsible borrowers across the board. He urged customers to ensure that borrowed funds are channelled into productive uses rather than consumption that yields no financial return.
On repayment performance, the MML CEO disclosed that most customers on MTN’s lending platforms honour their obligations and that non-performing loan ratios have improved year-on-year. He attributed the gains to the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), data mining techniques and enhanced customer scoring systems that allow operators to assess credit risk more accurately before approving loans.
To reinforce a stronger repayment culture, MML has launched a dedicated Responsible Borrowing Campaign aimed at educating customers on the financial and social consequences of default.
The 3i Africa Summit 2026, whose name stands for Inspire, Innovate and Integrate, was convened through a partnership led by the Bank of Ghana (BoG) and the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) to position the country as a continental hub for fintech and digital financial services. The summit brought together regulators, telecom operators, fintech companies, commercial banks and investors to deliberate on digital finance innovation, consumer protection and cross-border financial integration across Africa.
