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Claim: Former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has claimed that only four countries have a universal QR code system.
Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s research found that while Ghana has indeed implemented a universal QR code system, the total number of countries with a universal QR Code system is more than four.
Full Text
Former Vice President of Ghana and Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the just-ended election in Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, delivered a speech on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Harvard University in the United States.
His address highlighted Ghana’s strategic use of digitalisation to modernise the economy, enhance public service delivery, and generate employment opportunities.
During his presentation, he claimed that Ghana is one of only four countries with a universal QR code system.
According to him, “Ghana has implemented a universal QR code system. One of only four in the world to do so. The others are India, Singapore, and China.” His claim can be found in the 12 minutes: 26 seconds of the video published on YouTube by a Governor TV user.
DUBAWA assessed this claim to determine whether Ghana has implemented a universal QR code system and whether only four countries have such a system worldwide.
Verification
Universal QR code system
A universal QR code system is a standardised digital payment solution that allows customers to make payments across different banks, mobile money platforms, and financial service providers using a single QR code. This system ensures interoperability, meaning users can scan the same QR code regardless of their payment provider, simplifying transactions and promoting financial inclusion.
Ghana’s universal QR code system
DUBAWA’s research found that Ghana implemented a universal QR code in March 2020. This was spearheaded by the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement System Limited under the auspices of the Bank of Ghana.
With a single QR Code image displayed in a shop, a merchant can receive payments from customers with bank accounts, wallet accounts, or card accounts from different banks and payment service providers nationwide.
Other countries with a universal QR code system
DUBAWA found that countries including India, Singapore, and China have a universal QR code system. But are these the only countries with a universal QR code system?
DUBAWA’s research uncovered that other countries have a universal QR code system.
Countries like Indonesia have the Quick Response Code Indonesia Standard (QRIS). This is a standardised national QR payment system for Indonesia launched by Bank Indonesia on August 17, 2019.
The Philippines also has the Quick Response code (QR). This is the national QR code standard in the Philippines, approved by the Philippines Payment Management, inc. (PPMI). The system is based on the Europay-Mastercard-VISA (EMV) standard, allowing one QR Code to serve transactions from different banks and e-wallets.
Other countries, such as Vietnam, also have universal QR codes.
Conclusion
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s claim that Ghana is one of only four countries with a universal QR code system is inaccurate. While Ghana has indeed implemented a universal QR code system, DUBAWA’s research confirms that other countries, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, also have similar systems. This means Ghana is not among only four countries with a universal QR code system.
