Profiting from desperation: How loan apps in Ghana weaponise big tech ads

Screengrabs of messages from loan apps (TapLoan, Hasty Credit, Agile Loan) during investigationThe messages were sent by digital lending applications installed on this reporter’s phone during an investigation into Ghana’s fast-growing and largely unregulated online lending ecosystem.

In one public Facebook group titled “Say No to Loan App,” which has more than 50,000 members, users describe cycles of debt, harassment and desperation.

The investigation examines how unlicensed loan apps are using global advertising systems to reach vulnerable users in Ghana, despite being flagged by regulators.