An Escrow Payment Service Built for Ghana's Online Marketplace
Escrow means a trusted third party holds payment until both sides confirm a deal went through — instead of a buyer paying a stranger directly and hoping for the best. SurePay applies that model to everyday online buying and selling in Ghana, funded and paid out entirely through mobile money.
Why Ghana's online marketplace needs escrow
Most buying and selling in Ghana's online marketplace happens over WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Marketplace and Telegram groups — direct between two strangers, with a MoMo transfer as the only payment step. That leaves no protection for either side: buyers risk paying for nothing, and sellers risk shipping to someone who later disputes a payment or a delivery that genuinely happened.
How SurePay's escrow flow works
1. Buyer pays into escrow
Funds arrive via MTN, Telecel or AirtelTigo MoMo. The seller doesn't see a pesewa yet.
2. Seller ships with proof
The Ghana Card-verified seller marks the item shipped and attaches proof.
3. Buyer confirms delivery
Once the item is as described, escrow releases automatically — no back-and-forth.
4. Seller gets paid
Funds land in the seller's wallet instantly, ready to withdraw back to mobile money.
Frequently asked questions
What is escrow, in plain terms?
Escrow means your payment is held by a neutral third party — not the seller — until an agreed condition is met, usually confirmed delivery. If that condition isn't met, the money doesn't just disappear to one side.
How is this different from just paying MoMo directly?
A direct MoMo transfer to a seller is final the moment you send it, with no built-in recourse. Paying into SurePay's escrow means the seller only receives funds once you've confirmed the deal went as agreed.
Which mobile money networks work with SurePay?
MTN Mobile Money, Telecel Cash, and AirtelTigo Money — for both paying in and withdrawing out.
Is SurePay only for individuals, or can small businesses use it?
Both — sellers range from individual social-media vendors to small online shops, all verified the same way with Ghana Card KYC.
What happens if buyer and seller disagree?
That's what disputes are for — SurePay reviews the evidence from both sides (shipping proof, messages, item description) rather than defaulting to whoever acted first.