Getting a USSD code in Kenya used to mean letters to Safaricom, long waits and a separate developer to build the menu. Today you can apply online, pay with M-Pesa and track your code until it goes live. This guide walks through how to apply for a USSD code in Kenya, step by step: what to decide first, the documents you need, what you pay and when, and how long each stage takes.
Short answer: create an account in the Brilio portal, choose a shared or dedicated code, upload three documents (a signed application form, your business registration document and your KRA PIN), then pay the first fee by M-Pesa once your code is confirmed available. After Safaricom approval your code goes Active. Shared codes can be live within days.
Before you apply: four decisions
Settle these first and your application moves much faster.
- What should customers be able to do? Check a balance, apply for a loan, pay, register, vote. Write the menu down as short numbered options.
- Shared or dedicated code? A shared code (an extension such as
*711*123#) has free setup and launches in days. A dedicated code (*123#) is yours alone but costs more and takes longer. See shared vs dedicated USSD costs. - Who pays for sessions? Pre-paid: your customer's airtime pays. Post-paid: you pay and customers dial free.
- Who builds the menu? Your own developers on our USSD API, or our team designs, builds and hosts it for you.
Documents you need
| Document | Where to get it |
|---|---|
| Signed application form | Download the template in the portal, sign and stamp it |
| Business registration document | Your certificate of registration or incorporation from the Business Registration Service |
| KRA PIN certificate | Your company PIN certificate from KRA iTax |
Upload clear scans in your registered business name. Lenders, SACCOs and other regulated businesses should keep their licence ready in case a network asks for it.
How to apply for a USSD code: step by step
Step 1: Create your account
Sign up free and log in to the portal. If you already send bulk SMS with Brilio, use the same account.
Step 2: Start a USSD application
Open the USSD section and choose shared or dedicated. Enter the code you would like, for example a three-digit extension for a shared code. The final code depends on availability, so have one or two alternatives in mind.
Step 3: Upload your documents
Attach the signed application form, your business registration document and your KRA PIN certificate. Your application shows as Pending while we review it.
Step 4: Pay once your code is available
When we confirm the code is available, the status changes to Available, awaiting payment and you pay by M-Pesa, straight from the portal:
- Shared code: your first month's fee, for example KES 15,000 for a three-digit extension.
- Dedicated code: the setup cost plus the first month, for example KES 270,000 + KES 70,000 on Safaricom.
See every current fee on USSD codes in Kenya.
Step 5: Network approval
After payment the status shows Paid, pending Safaricom approval while the network provisions your code. Shared codes are quick because the base code already exists; dedicated codes take longer because each network approves them separately.
Step 6: Build and test your menu
While approval runs, your menu gets built: by our team, or by your developers pointing our USSD gateway at their server. Every path is tested before launch, and developers can try flows in our USSD simulator without a SIM card or airtime:
Step 7: Go live
Once approved, your code shows as Active. Dial it, check every path on Safaricom and Airtel, then announce it to your customers. A bulk SMS to your existing list is the fastest way to get your first sessions.
Application statuses at a glance
| Status | What it means | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | We are reviewing your request and documents | Nothing; we'll contact you if something needs fixing |
| Available, awaiting payment | Your code is available | Pay by M-Pesa in the portal |
| Paid, pending Safaricom approval | The network is setting up your code | Finish and test your menu |
| Active | Your code is live | Launch and promote it |
How long does it take to get a USSD code in Kenya?
- Shared code: often a few days from application to live, once your documents are in order and your menu is ready.
- Dedicated code: longer, because each network approves and provisions the code separately.
The biggest delays are almost always on the applicant's side: unsigned forms, documents in a different company name, or a menu that isn't ready when the code is.
Common mistakes that slow applications down
- Requesting only one code. If it's taken you start again. Always have alternatives.
- Documents that don't match. The registration document, KRA PIN and form must all be in the same business name.
- No menu plan. Decide what customers will do before you pay; it's the part that takes longest.
- Forgetting SMS receipts. A USSD session leaves no record, so send an SMS confirmation for every transaction.
- Not testing every path. Test on Safaricom and Airtel before launch; networks behave differently.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for a USSD code in Kenya?
Create an account in the Brilio portal, choose a shared or dedicated code, upload your signed application form, business registration document and KRA PIN certificate, then pay by M-Pesa once your code is confirmed available. After Safaricom approval it goes live.
What documents are needed for a USSD code in Kenya?
A signed application form, your business registration document (certificate of registration or incorporation) and your KRA PIN certificate. Regulated businesses may also be asked for their licence.
How much does it cost to apply for a USSD code?
A shared code has free setup; you pay the first month's fee, from KES 8,000 depending on the extension length. A dedicated code on Safaricom costs KES 270,000 to set up plus KES 70,000 a month. See the USSD pricing page for current fees.
Can an individual apply for a USSD code?
USSD codes are issued to registered businesses and organisations, because the application needs a business registration document and a KRA PIN certificate.
Can I get a USSD code without building the app myself?
Yes. Our team can design, build and host the USSD menu for you, connected to your system and M-Pesa. Developers can instead build on our USSD API.
Ready to start? Create a free account and apply in the portal, or talk to us as your USSD provider in Kenya.
