A new youth-focused payment card has been introduced in Ghana to promote financial literacy, support credit building, and foster entrepreneurship among young people. The initiative aims to equip the youth with essential financial tools and resources to manage money responsibly, access credit opportunities, and launch small businesses. Backed by public-private partnerships, the card is set to drive inclusive economic participation and empower the next generation of financially savvy entrepreneurs.
The card offers benefits such as parental-controlled spending for teenagers, soft credit scoring for young professionals, and tailored business tools for middle-level professionals. Its goal is to support users at different life stages with features that align with their changing financial responsibilities.
For teenagers aged 13 to 19, the card provides a safe entry into personal finance through prepaid or reloadable debit options. It includes tools for real-time expense tracking and parental controls, as well as discounts on gaming, streaming, and educational platforms to make digital literacy both engaging and practical.
As users transition into early careers, the offering evolves to include full-featured debit and entry-level credit cards. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options and credit-building tools are designed to help users manage online purchases responsibly and begin establishing a credit history still a gap for many young Ghanaians. This stage also introduces subscription-based rewards aimed at encouraging long-term saving and investment habits.
Middle-tier professionals receive premium services such as travel and health insurance packages, as well as corporate card features tailored to young entrepreneurs managing SMEs or start-ups. These tools are designed to support business growth and promote wider adoption of formal banking within Ghana’s informal and gig economies.
According to Access Bank Ghana, the initiative targets the country’s large youth demographic nearly 57% of the population is under 25. By integrating financial education and services into the everyday lives of young Ghanaians, the card aims to nurture responsible financial behaviour and help bridge the gap between digital tools and economic inclusion.
“The banking sector has an important role to play in preparing youth to thrive in a digital, fast-changing economy. This product is more than a card it’s a financial development tool.” said Pearl Nkrumah, Executive Director for Retail and Digital Banking at Access Bank Ghana.
Mastercard’s West Africa Area Business Head, Folasade Femi-Lawal, added that the collaboration is part of a broader effort to build resilience and inclusion through digital finance.
“By offering tailored tools across life stages, we’re supporting a generation ready to lead in business and personal finance.”
The AccessU Mastercard will be available through both Access Bank branches and digital platforms, with plans to partner fintechs and edtech platforms to deepen youth engagement. However, while the initiative has been welcomed as a step toward greater inclusion, analysts point out that its long-term success will depend on how well it balances accessibility with affordability, education, and user protection.
As digital finance continues to grow in Ghana, the AccessU initiative sets a precedent for how banks and payment providers can build financial habits early and possibly reshape youth engagement with formal banking altogether.
Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Senel Media
