• GCB proposes direct payments for Ghanaian TikTok creators.

• Plan includes card, mobile money, and bank account options.

• Could make Ghana first in Africa with local TikTok payouts.
  

Ghana Commercial Bank (GCB) is positioning itself to play a unique role in the country's digital economy by directly handling payments for Ghanaian TikTok creators.

During a September 1 meeting with Samuel Nartey George, the Minister of Communications, Digital Technologies, and Innovations, a GCB delegation led by Chief of Staff Abraham Ferguson proposed a comprehensive payment framework. This system would allow local creators to receive their earnings directly through Ghanaian banking channels.

"The bank possesses robust connectivity with MasterCard and Visa, enabling it to accept and make payments directly onto cards," Ferguson said. He noted that GCB could also facilitate payments via mobile money platforms, direct bank accounts, and other secure channels. This infrastructure is designed to provide creators with a transparent and efficient way to receive income from TikTok gifts and monetization streams, bypassing often costly intermediaries.

Minister Samuel Nartey George praised the initiative, stating that integrating GCB as an official payment channel would build creators' confidence in the local digital ecosystem and maximize their earnings. "This will ensure greater financial benefit for Ghanaian talent while deepening confidence in the digital economy," he said. He had previously advocated for the project during discussions with Tokunbo Ibrahim Okuribido, TikTok's Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for West Africa.

Okuribido indicated that the platform is open to exploring solutions tailored to regional regulatory requirements but must first assess the feasibility of such an integration.

For many Ghanaian creators, the prospect of this partnership comes at a critical time. Despite TikTok's rapid growth in Africa, creators there cannot access the platform's official Creator Rewards Program, which is currently limited to 14 countries, including the United States, France, and Japan. This lack of monetization creates a digital divide, hinders the professionalization of African creators, and limits their ability to invest in quality content or collaborate with brands.

If the project succeeds, GCB could make Ghana one of the first African countries to offer TikTok creators a secure, transparent, and local payment mechanism. Such a development would strengthen the country's position in the regional digital economy as traditional banks increasingly partner with digital platforms to capture the rapid growth of the creator economy. According to a study by Coherent Market Insights, the African creator economy could reach $30 billion by 2032, with an annual growth rate of nearly 29%.

Servan Ahougnon