MINTInvestment apps in Ghana: what to check before you sign up
How platforms such as Achieve by Petra, Black Star and IC Wealth work, and how to check any app before you put money in.
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A simple explanation
An investment app is a phone or web front end for a regulated company. Some connect you to mutual funds or unit trusts (a pool of money run by a fund manager). Others are brokerage apps for buying shares and bonds. Some do both.
The app is not the investment. Always ask two questions: who manages my money, and what exactly am I buying?
The apps below are examples that Ghanaians commonly hear about. Mentioning them is not a recommendation, and MINT Digital has no link with any of them. Products, fees and minimums change, so read each provider's own pages.
Example
Achieve by Petra is offered by Petra Securities Limited. Its DigiSave product invests in a mutual fund managed by Black Star Advisors, and its site lists a small minimum, mobile money top-ups, and standard and express withdrawal options with different fees. It also lists a dollar-based Eurobond unit trust with its own minimum and withdrawal rules. The provider describes its fund managers as SEC-licensed.
Black Star describes itself as licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, through Black Star Advisors (fund management) and Black Star Brokerage (share trading). Its site lists mutual funds in fixed income, balanced, equity and money market categories, plus stock trading.
IC Wealth, run by the IC Group, offers three areas on its site: mutual funds, stocks and fixed income.
Beware of lookalikes. Some websites with similar names promise huge weekly returns. Use the provider's official website or app store listing, and confirm the licence with the SEC.
Why it matters
Apps make investing easy, and that includes making it easy to lose money to a bad product or a fake app. A few minutes of checking protects you.
Key things to know
Checklist before you invest:
- Licence. Is the company (not just the app) on the SEC licensee list? You can also call the SEC toll-free on 0800 100 065.
- Who is the fund manager and custodian? A custodian is a separate institution that holds the assets.
- What are you buying? A money market fund, a bond fund and an equity fund carry different risks.
- Fees. Look for deposit fees, withdrawal fees, management fees and brokerage commission.
- Minimum and access. How much to start, and how fast can you withdraw?
- Past performance. Ask for the fund fact sheet. Past returns are not a promise.
- Records. Can you see statements, and does the app confirm each transaction?
- Complaints. Is there a real contact channel?
Risks to consider
- Funds are not bank deposits. Values can go down as well as up.
- Return figures shown in an app may be variable and can change daily.
- Anyone promising fixed high daily or weekly returns is a red flag. See how to spot investment scams.
Key takeaway
An app is only as safe as the licensed company behind it. Confirm the licence, the fund manager, the fees and what you are buying before your first cedi goes in.
Common questions
Are investment apps safe?
An app is only as safe as the licensed company behind it. Check that the company appears on the SEC licensee list, and use the official website or app store listing, not a link sent in a message.
Is money in a fund guaranteed?
No. A mutual fund or unit trust is not a bank deposit. Its value can go down as well as up, and any rate shown in an app may change.
Can I withdraw whenever I want?
It depends on the product. Some funds pay out the next working day and some take longer. Check the withdrawal time and any fee before you invest.
What should I ask before I put money in?
Who manages the fund, who holds the assets, what the fees are, the minimum amount, how fast you can withdraw, and whether you will get statements.
This is general financial education, not financial advice. Figures are illustrative. Speak to a licensed professional before making investment decisions.
Figures as of September 2026. Sources: Achieve by Petra, FAQs, Black Star Group, IC Wealth, SEC Ghana, licensed fund managers