A USSD code puts your service on every phone in Kenya, from feature phones to smartphones, with no app and no data. But what does it actually cost? The answer depends on three choices: a shared or dedicated code, who pays for sessions, and how many sessions you expect. This guide sets out USSD code prices in Kenya in 2026, explains each fee, and works through three real budgets.
Short answer: a shared USSD code in Kenya can cost from KES 8,000 a month with free setup. A dedicated code on Safaricom costs about KES 270,000 to set up and KES 70,000 a month. On top of that you have per-session charges, paid by your customer's airtime or by you. These are Brilio's prices at the time of writing; see USSD codes in Kenya for current rates.
The three parts of a USSD bill
| Cost | What it is | Paid |
|---|---|---|
| The code | A setup fee and a monthly fee to keep the code live | Monthly, by you |
| Sessions | A small charge each time someone uses your code | Per session, by your customer or by you |
| The application | Designing, building and hosting the menu behind the code | Quoted per project |
Most people only ask about the first line. The second and third decide whether your USSD service is affordable at scale.
Shared USSD code prices
A shared code is an extension of a code we own. Setup is free; the monthly fee depends on how short your extension is, because shorter codes are easier to remember:
| Shared code | Setup | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
*711*X# (1 digit) |
Free | KES 35,000 |
*711*XX# (2 digits) |
Free | KES 25,000 |
*711*XXX# (3 digits) |
Free | KES 15,000 |
*711*XXXX# (4 digits) |
Free | KES 8,000 |
Shared codes run on Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom, and can go live within days of your menu being ready. A KES 5,000 session deposit is required.
Dedicated USSD code prices
A dedicated code, such as *123#, is yours alone. Each network charges separately:
| Network | Setup | Monthly (*XXX#) |
|---|---|---|
| Safaricom | KES 270,000 | KES 70,000 |
| Airtel | KES 210,000 | KES 70,400 |
A dedicated code takes longer to launch because each network must approve and set it up. We prepare and follow up the applications for you.
Session costs: who pays?
Every time someone dials your code, a session is charged. You choose who pays.
Pre-paid (the customer pays). The network deducts the session from the customer's airtime, and a small infrastructure fee applies per session:
| Network | Charge to the customer | Brilio infrastructure fee |
|---|---|---|
| Safaricom | KES 1 | KES 0.25 |
| Airtel | KES 3 | KES 0.25 |
Post-paid (you pay). Your customers use the service free, which increases usage. On Safaricom sessions cost KES 1.50 each on the Basic and Plus plans and KES 1.25 on the Premium and Max plans, with a KES 10,000 session deposit.
Free-to-dial services get noticeably more use, especially among low-income customers, so post-paid is worth considering for loans, savings and support menus.
Three real USSD budgets
A SACCO on a shared code, customers pay
A three-digit shared code (*711*XXX#) and 4,000 member sessions a month, pre-paid:
- Code: KES 15,000 a month
- Infrastructure fee: 4,000 × KES 0.25 = KES 1,000
- Total: about KES 16,000 a month, plus the KES 5,000 deposit
- Members pay KES 1 per session on Safaricom from their airtime
The same SACCO, free for members
Same code and volume, but post-paid on Safaricom so members dial free:
- Code: KES 15,000 a month
- Sessions: 4,000 × KES 1.50 = KES 6,000
- Total: about KES 21,000 a month, plus the KES 10,000 deposit
For about KES 5,000 more a month, every member can use the service without airtime.
A digital lender with a dedicated Safaricom code
A dedicated code with 50,000 pre-paid sessions a month:
- Setup: KES 270,000 once
- Monthly: KES 70,000 + (50,000 × KES 0.25) = KES 82,500
- First year: about KES 1,260,000 (KES 270,000 + 12 × KES 82,500)
- Adding Airtel: KES 210,000 setup and KES 70,400 a month
Shared or dedicated: which should you choose?
| Shared code | Dedicated code | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | Free | From KES 210,000 per network |
| Monthly | KES 8,000 – 35,000 | About KES 70,000 per network |
| Time to launch | Days | Longer: each network must approve |
| Memorability | Good with a short extension | Best: your own short code |
| Best for | Launching, testing demand, SACCOs, schools, campaigns | Established services with large customer numbers |
Our advice: start on a shared code. When usage and brand recognition justify it, move to a dedicated code. By then you know your session numbers and can budget properly.
Costs to plan for beyond the code
- Building the application. The menu, the logic and the connection to your system or M-Pesa. It is quoted per project, depending on how many menus and integrations you need.
- Hosting and monitoring. Sessions time out, so the application must respond quickly and stay up.
- SMS receipts. A USSD session leaves no record, so most services send an SMS confirmation, billed per SMS.
- Promotion. A code nobody knows about gets no sessions. Budget for SMS blasts, posters and radio.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a USSD code cost in Kenya?
A shared code costs from KES 8,000 to KES 35,000 a month with free setup, depending on the extension length. A dedicated code costs about KES 270,000 to set up and KES 70,000 a month on Safaricom, and KES 210,000 plus KES 70,400 a month on Airtel. Session charges come on top.
Who pays for USSD sessions in Kenya?
On a pre-paid code the customer's airtime pays (KES 1 per session on Safaricom and KES 3 on Airtel). On a post-paid code you pay (KES 1.25 to KES 1.50 per session on Safaricom) and the service is free to your customers.
Is there a setup fee for a shared USSD code?
No. Shared codes at Brilio have free setup; you pay the monthly fee for your extension and a KES 5,000 session deposit.
How long does it take to get a USSD code in Kenya?
A shared code can go live within days of your menu being built and tested. A dedicated code takes longer because each network approves and sets it up separately.
Can I start on a shared code and move to a dedicated one later?
Yes. Many businesses launch on a shared code to prove demand, then apply for a dedicated code once usage justifies the cost.
Want a quote for your USSD service? Talk to us as your USSD provider in Kenya, or compare options on USSD codes in Kenya.
