Ghana hailed in China as first African country to deploy payment solution system

 The 8^th China International Import Expo (CIIE) 2025 which took place recently in China, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai has given Ghana a remarkable recognition.

It also marked Ghana’s record as the first African country to deploy a payment solution system that simultaneously accepted digital payments from WeChat and Alipay on a single payment platform.

This year marked the fourth participation of the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) at this global trade event, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to expanding its footprint within the Chinese market.

Background – Key Insights from CIIE 2024

In the 2024 edition, the final two days of the Expo were open to the general public, allowing visitors to buy products directly from exhibitors. However, the Chinese financial transaction system is heavily reliant on technology, being entirely cashless and dependent on digital payment platforms like Alipay and WeChat Pay.

 

This created a significant challenge for many African exhibitors, including those from Ghana, who are more accustomed to cash transactions in their local markets. As a result, an exporter familiar with the Chinese payment landscape had to receive payments on behalf of other Ghanaian exhibitors, subsequently withdrawing the total amount and distributing the funds accordingly.

This situation highlighted the pressing need for a more secure, efficient, and independent payment solution for the Ghanaian delegation in subsequent CIIE participation.

Preparatory Steps for CIIE 2025

In preparation for the 2025 CIIE, GEPA consulted with exporters who attended in 2024 to confirm the challenges faced. They acknowledged that the cashless payment system posed a considerable hurdle and necessitated a solution to facilitate smoother business operations during the upcoming exhibition.

In a proactive response, the GEPA team approached services from the research team of Dr. Hu Yan, “Father of China’s Mobile Payment Technology”, to seek assistance in overcoming the payment challenges experienced by Ghanaian exhibitors.

The Chinese company responded proactively, demonstrating its willingness to leverage its world-leading digital payment technology to foster connectivity between China and Africa, signifying their readiness to partner with developing countries to upgrade their payment system to the global standard.

Payment Innovation Introduced at CIIE 2025

After a successful discussion Dr. Hu Yan and his team agreed to partner with the Ghanaian contingent by providing a digital payment solution that would seamlessly integrate major Chinese payment methods with online and offline capabilities on a singular payment platform.

This solution was specifically implemented for the benefit of the Ghanaian exhibitors at the 8^th CIIE – 2025 in Shanghai. The system functioned smoothly, enabling exporters to engage in transactions with buyers professionally and efficiently. Exporters reported satisfaction with the ease, speed, and reliability of the digital payment system and the buyers were excited with the convenience by which they executed their transaction.

A Milestone Achievement for Ghana

It is important to note that Ghana, through GEPA, became the first African nation to independently adopt and implement this payment solution at the CIIE. It also marks Ghana’s milestone as the first African country to achieve mobile payment technology integration with China’s mobile payment system.

This initiative at the 8^th CIIE has established a strong foundation for future growth in cross-border e-commerce for Ghana and showcased the country’s willingness to embrace contemporary global trade systems. Once again, Ghana has positioned itself as a leader in technology among African nations by pioneering this payment integration at a significant global trade platform.

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