IMF Warns Ghana to Tighten Crypto Oversight Ahead of New Rules

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has urged Ghana to strengthen its regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies before new rules take effect in December 2026.

Ghana is the fifth-largest crypto market in sub-Saharan Africa, with an estimated 8% to 17% of the population having bought or sold cryptocurrency and annual transactions of about $21 billion, according to the IMF's September 2026 technical assistance report.

The IMF warned that existing guidelines do not provide comprehensive oversight of the rapidly expanding market and recommended stronger market-abuse and custody rules, as well as clearer requirements for reserve liquidity and withdrawal timeframes.