Parliament Abolishes E-Levy, Ending Controversial Electronic Transaction Tax

Ghana’s Parliament has officially repealed the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy), which previously imposed a 1% charge on electronic transactions. The tax, introduced in 2022 under President Akufo-Addo’s administration, was widely opposed and became a major topic in the 2024 general elections.

Both the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) addressed the E-Levy in their campaign promises. After assuming office, President John Mahama’s NDC government moved to repeal the tax. Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson presented the Legislative Instrument (LI) for amendment, which Parliament later adopted upon maturity.

During the parliamentary debate, Finance Committee Chairman Isaac Adongo led the motion, receiving support from former Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Stephen Amoah. Former Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong also backed the repeal but urged a broader review of other taxes, including VAT, to ease economic pressure on Ghanaians.

Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Ampem-Nyarko acknowledged that while scrapping the levy would provide relief to citizens, it would also result in a revenue loss exceeding GHS 2 billion.

The Electronic Transfer Levy (Repeal) Bill 2025 officially nullifies the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075). Finance Minister Dr. Forson reassured Ghanaians that the government would explore alternative revenue sources while striving to reduce the overall tax burden.