Electronic transfer taxes and the stock market: empirical evidence from Ghana’s E-levy

This paper aims to highlight the correlation between Ghana’s Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) and the stock market performance of the target firms. Initially, the E-levy aimed to raise GH₵7 billion by taxing electronic transfers exceeding GH₵100 daily at a rate of 1.75%. Following a rate reduction...

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Main Authors: John Boamah, Ernestina Ohenewaah Denchie, Aurelia Naa Ayikaikor Ayi-Bonte
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Economics & Finance
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2025.2476095
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author John Boamah
Ernestina Ohenewaah Denchie
Aurelia Naa Ayikaikor Ayi-Bonte
author_facet John Boamah
Ernestina Ohenewaah Denchie
Aurelia Naa Ayikaikor Ayi-Bonte
author_sort John Boamah
collection DOAJ
description This paper aims to highlight the correlation between Ghana’s Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) and the stock market performance of the target firms. Initially, the E-levy aimed to raise GH₵7 billion by taxing electronic transfers exceeding GH₵100 daily at a rate of 1.75%. Following a rate reduction to 1.5%, the revenue target was revised to GH₵4.5 billion. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find a negative effect on target firm stock prices, persisting around the implementation period. We also find that reducing the levy influences stock prices positively. Our channel test reveals that the levy affects the stock market through transaction volume, with a stronger result for firms with below-average trading volumes. The policy recommendation is to reduce the rate below 0.5%.
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series Cogent Economics & Finance
spelling doaj-art-debe4df2ca41446390962bcbf703801f2025-08-20T02:38:10ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Economics & Finance2332-20392025-12-0113110.1080/23322039.2025.2476095Electronic transfer taxes and the stock market: empirical evidence from Ghana’s E-levyJohn Boamah0Ernestina Ohenewaah Denchie1Aurelia Naa Ayikaikor Ayi-Bonte2Department of Accountancy, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong KongDepartment of Geography, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong KongDepartment of Communication Studies, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong KongThis paper aims to highlight the correlation between Ghana’s Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy) and the stock market performance of the target firms. Initially, the E-levy aimed to raise GH₵7 billion by taxing electronic transfers exceeding GH₵100 daily at a rate of 1.75%. Following a rate reduction to 1.5%, the revenue target was revised to GH₵4.5 billion. Using a difference-in-differences approach, we find a negative effect on target firm stock prices, persisting around the implementation period. We also find that reducing the levy influences stock prices positively. Our channel test reveals that the levy affects the stock market through transaction volume, with a stronger result for firms with below-average trading volumes. The policy recommendation is to reduce the rate below 0.5%.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2025.2476095E-levymobile bankingmobile moneydifference-in-differencesGhanaBanking
spellingShingle John Boamah
Ernestina Ohenewaah Denchie
Aurelia Naa Ayikaikor Ayi-Bonte
Electronic transfer taxes and the stock market: empirical evidence from Ghana’s E-levy
Cogent Economics & Finance
E-levy
mobile banking
mobile money
difference-in-differences
Ghana
Banking
title Electronic transfer taxes and the stock market: empirical evidence from Ghana’s E-levy
title_full Electronic transfer taxes and the stock market: empirical evidence from Ghana’s E-levy
title_fullStr Electronic transfer taxes and the stock market: empirical evidence from Ghana’s E-levy
title_full_unstemmed Electronic transfer taxes and the stock market: empirical evidence from Ghana’s E-levy
title_short Electronic transfer taxes and the stock market: empirical evidence from Ghana’s E-levy
title_sort electronic transfer taxes and the stock market empirical evidence from ghana s e levy
topic E-levy
mobile banking
mobile money
difference-in-differences
Ghana
Banking
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23322039.2025.2476095
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