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Akif Hazarvi

SWIFT codes in Ghana

GH · GHS

Find the correct SWIFT/BIC code for banks in Ghana. Use these codes when sending or receiving international wire transfers. A SWIFT code ensures your payment is routed to the correct bank and branch.

Banks

48

SWIFT codes

—

Branches

—

Currency

GHS

Banks in Ghana

A

ABSA BANK OF GHANA LIMITED

A

ACCESS BANK (GHANA) PLC

A

AFRICAN ALLIANCE SECURITIES LTD

A

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK

A

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT BANK PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

A

ARB APEX BANK PLC

B

BANK OF AFRICA - GHANA LIMITED

B

BANK OF GHANA

B

BRITISH AMERICAN TOBACCO GHANA LTD

C

CAL BROKERS LIMITED

C

CALBANK PLC

C

CDH SECURITIES LTD

C

CENTRAL SECURITIES DEPOSITORY (GH) LTD

C

CHAPEL HILL DENHAM SECURITIES (GH) LIMITED

C

CITIZENS INVESTMENT BANK

C

CONSOLIDATED BANK GHANA LIMITED

C

CONTROLLER AND ACCOUNTANT-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT

D

DATABANK BROKERAGE LIMITED

E

ECOBANK GHANA PLC

F

FIDELITY BANK GHANA LIMITED

F

FIRST ATLANTIC BANK LIMITED

F

FIRST ATLANTIC BROKERS LIMITED

F

FIRST BANK GHANA LTD

F

FIRST NATIONAL BANK GHANA LIMITED

G

GCB BANK PLC

G

GHANA EXPORT-IMPORT BANK

G

GHANA REVENUE AUTHORITY

G

GHANA STOCK EXCHANGE

G

GUARANTY TRUST BANK (GHANA) LTD

I

IC SECURITIES (GH) LIMITED

N

NATIONAL INVESTMENT BANK

N

NATIONAL TRUST HOLDING COMPANY LIMITED

O

OMNIBSIC BANK GHANA LIMITED

P

PRUDENTIAL BANK LTD

R

REPUBLIC BANK (GHANA) PLC

S

SARPONG CAPITAL MARKETS LIMITED

S

SECONDSTAX LIMITED

S

SIC BROKERAGE LIMITED

S

SOCIAL SECURITY AND NATIONAL INSURANCE TRUST

S

SOCIETE GENERALE GHANA PLC

S

STANBIC BANK GHANA LTD

S

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK GHANA PLC

S

STRATEGIC AFRICAN SECURITIES LIMITED

T

TAKORADI INTERNATIONAL COMPANY

U

UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA (GHANA) LTD

U

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT BANK LTD

V

VOLTA RIVER AUTHORITY

Z

ZENITH BANK (GHANA) LTD

Frequently asked questions

What is a SWIFT code for Ghana?

A SWIFT code (BIC) for Ghana is an 8 or 11-character code identifying a Ghanaian bank for international wire transfers. The country code portion is GH. For example, GHCBGHAC is the SWIFT code for GCB Bank (formerly Ghana Commercial Bank). The structure is: 4 characters for the bank, 2 for country (GH), 2 for the city, and optionally 3 for the branch.

What are the SWIFT codes for major Ghanaian banks?

Key Ghanaian bank SWIFT codes include: GCB Bank — GHCBGHAC, Ecobank Ghana — ECOCGHAC, Stanbic Bank Ghana — SBICGHAC, Absa Bank Ghana — BARCGHAC, Standard Chartered Ghana — SCBLGHAC, and Fidelity Bank Ghana — FIDLGHAC. Always confirm the exact code with the recipient's bank as codes can vary by branch.

Can mobile money (MTN MoMo, Vodafone Cash) receive international SWIFT transfers?

No. Ghanaian mobile money platforms like MTN MoMo and Vodafone Cash cannot directly receive international SWIFT wire transfers. For bank-to-bank international wires, the sender must use the recipient bank's SWIFT code and account number. However, some remittance providers (such as WorldRemit and Remitly) can deliver funds to mobile wallets through their own payout networks.

How long does a SWIFT transfer to Ghana take?

SWIFT transfers to Ghana typically arrive within one to three business days. Transfers from major corridors (UK, US, Netherlands — home to significant Ghanaian diaspora communities) usually settle within one to two business days. Some transfers may be held briefly for Bank of Ghana compliance reporting, particularly for amounts above USD 10,000.

Can I receive USD or other foreign currencies in a Ghanaian bank account?

Yes. Most major Ghanaian banks offer domiciliary accounts (foreign currency accounts) that can receive and hold USD, GBP, and EUR. Bank of Ghana permits individuals to hold foreign currency accounts. If the recipient holds a standard GHS account, inbound foreign currency is automatically converted to cedis at the bank's buying rate. Given the GHS has experienced significant depreciation, holding funds in a domiciliary account before converting can sometimes be advantageous.

Are there Bank of Ghana regulations affecting inbound transfers?

Yes. The Bank of Ghana requires statistical reporting of all inbound foreign transfers. Transfers above USD 10,000 require a declaration of purpose. Business or investment-related transfers require documentation. Receiving banks handle regulatory reporting, but the recipient may need to provide a brief explanation of the transfer's purpose for large amounts.

What is the exchange rate situation for receiving money in Ghana?

The Ghanaian cedi (GHS) has depreciated significantly against major currencies in recent years, meaning recipients receive more cedis per dollar or pound over time — but purchasing power in Ghana has also been affected by inflation. Senders should compare the effective exchange rate (including bank spread) rather than just the headline rate when choosing a provider.

Are there fees for receiving a SWIFT transfer in Ghana?

Ghanaian banks typically charge an inbound wire processing fee, often GHS 50–200 or a small percentage of the amount. Currency conversion includes an additional spread over the mid-market rate. For smaller personal remittances, specialist providers with local GHS payout networks often offer better value than standard bank SWIFT transfers.

How SWIFT works in Ghana

The Bank of Ghana (BOG) regulates international payments and the foreign exchange market. Ghana has one of West Africa's most developed banking systems, with major banks well-connected to the SWIFT network. Alongside formal banking, mobile money (particularly MTN MoMo and Vodafone Cash) is widely used domestically, but mobile money platforms cannot directly receive international SWIFT transfers.

Ghana's major banks on the SWIFT network include GCB Bank (formerly Ghana Commercial Bank), Ecobank Ghana, Stanbic Bank Ghana, Absa Bank Ghana, and Standard Chartered Ghana. Ecobank and Stanbic have strong pan-African correspondent networks, making them well-suited for transfers from other African countries.
Bank of Ghana regulations require that all inbound foreign currency transfers be declared for statistical reporting. Transfers above USD 10,000 require documentation of purpose. The recipient's bank converts foreign currency to GHS at the prevailing exchange rate unless the recipient holds a foreign currency account (domiciliary account), which most major Ghanaian banks offer.
Ghana operates a relatively open foreign exchange market compared to some West African neighbours, but the GHS has experienced significant depreciation over recent years. Recipients expecting large transfers should consider timing of conversion or holding funds in a USD-denominated domiciliary account if waiting for a more favorable GHS rate.