Securities and Exchange Commission Ghana has issued a directive requiring investor-facing online investment and trading platforms that carry out Securities and Exchange Commission licensed activities to obtain platform-specific registration or licensing. The measure applies to licensed market operators that own or operate such platforms, fintech service providers and other persons operating online investment or trading platforms, and operators of digital intermediary platforms. The directive took immediate effect, and affected firms and individuals must complete the Securities and Exchange Commission process before Aug. 31, 2026. The directive follows the regulator's observation of growing use of unregistered online investment applications and trading platforms providing access to securities listed in local and foreign markets. It excludes platforms used only for back-office and other non-investor-facing functions, transaction screening systems and anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism regulatory technology solutions, online investor reporting and complaints portals, and online educational platforms used only for investor protection and fraud awareness. The registration and licensing process includes an entry form, a platform or technology demonstration, Securities and Exchange Commission feedback on required regulatory steps, payment of fees where required, and issuance of a certificate. Before issuing a certificate, the regulator will communicate applicable conditions, obligations and reporting requirements. Any person or entity, including market operators, operating an online investment application or trading platform without Securities and Exchange Commission approval, licensing or registration must immediately stop doing so. The regulator may revise or revoke the directive and may take enforcement action for breaches under the Securities Industry Act.

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