Every Kenyan with a phone has used a USSD code. You dial *144# to check your Safaricom balance or *334# to open M-Pesa, and a menu appears. But what is a USSD code exactly, how does it work, and how does a business get one of its own? This guide explains USSD codes in Kenya in plain language, for business owners and developers alike.
Short answer: a USSD code is a short code that starts with
*and ends with#. When you dial it, the mobile network opens a live text menu between your phone and a business's system, with no internet and no app. Businesses in Kenya use USSD codes for balances, loans, payments, registrations and surveys, on every type of phone.
What is a USSD code?
USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data. It's a feature of every GSM mobile network that lets a phone exchange short text messages with a system in real time, during a session, instead of one SMS at a time.
A USSD code is the "address" you dial to start that session. Every USSD code:
- starts with
*and ends with#, for example*144#or*711*123#; - opens a menu on the screen (1. Check balance 2. Apply for loan), which the user answers by typing a number;
- works on every phone, from a basic feature phone to the newest smartphone;
- needs no internet and no app, only network coverage.
USSD codes Kenyans use every day
| Code | Network | What it does |
|---|---|---|
*144# |
Safaricom | Check airtime balance |
*334# |
Safaricom | M-Pesa menu |
*544# |
Safaricom | Buy data bundles |
*131# |
Airtel | Check airtime balance |
Banks, SACCOs, digital lenders, insurers, betting firms, schools and government services run their own USSD codes on the same technology.
How a USSD session works
When a customer dials a business's USSD code, this happens in a second or two:
- The phone sends the code to the mobile network (Safaricom, Airtel or Telkom).
- The network forwards it to a USSD gateway, the provider that hosts the code, such as Brilio.
- The gateway calls the business's application with the caller's phone number and what they typed.
- The application replies with the next screen and says whether to continue the session (
CON) or end it (END). - The screen appears on the phone. The customer types an option and steps 3–5 repeat until the session ends.
Because the session stays open, a customer can check a balance, choose a loan amount and confirm it in one go, usually in under a minute. Sessions time out if the customer doesn't respond, so good USSD menus are short. Here's how to build a USSD menu that customers finish.
Types of USSD codes: shared vs dedicated
| Shared code | Dedicated code | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | An extension of a provider's code, for example *711*123# |
Your own short code, for example *123# |
| Setup | Free at Brilio | From KES 210,000 per network |
| Monthly | KES 8,000 – 35,000 depending on extension length | About KES 70,000 per network |
| Time to launch | Days | Longer: each network approves it |
| Best for | Launching, SACCOs, schools, campaigns | Established services with many customers |
Full prices: how much a USSD code costs in Kenya.
Is USSD free for customers?
It depends on how the business sets it up:
- Pre-paid: the network charges the customer's airtime per session, for example KES 1 on Safaricom.
- Post-paid: the business pays for sessions and the customer dials free.
Network self-service codes such as balance checks are usually free. See USSD charges in Kenya for the full picture.
USSD vs SMS vs mobile app
| USSD | SMS | Mobile app | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works on every phone | Yes | Yes | Smartphones only |
| Needs internet | No | No | Yes |
| Interactive menus | Yes, live | No | Yes |
| Leaves a record | No | Yes | Yes |
| Install needed | No | No | Yes |
The strongest services combine them: USSD for the action, bulk SMS for the receipt, and an app for customers who want more. Read how USSD and SMS work together.
What businesses use USSD codes for
- Lenders and fintechs: loan applications, limits and M-Pesa repayments.
- SACCOs and chamas: balances, mini-statements, contributions and loan requests.
- Schools: fee balances, results and paybill details for parents.
- Insurance and savings: sign-ups, premiums and claims.
- Surveys, polls and voting: structured answers from every corner of Kenya.
- Agriculture: farmer registration, prices and input orders.
How to get your own USSD code in Kenya
- Decide what customers should be able to do, and whether you need a shared or dedicated code.
- Apply in the Brilio portal with your signed application form, business registration document and KRA PIN.
- Pay by M-Pesa once your code is confirmed available.
- Build and test your menu (our team can build it), then go live after network approval.
Step by step: how to apply for a USSD code in Kenya. Developers can test flows without a SIM card in our USSD simulator:
Related guides: USSD codes in Kenya · USSD provider in Kenya · USSD for fintech
Frequently asked questions
What is a USSD code?
A USSD code is a short code starting with * and ending with # (such as *144#) that opens a live text menu between a phone and a business's system. It works on every phone without internet or an app.
What does USSD stand for?
USSD stands for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data, a feature of GSM mobile networks that lets a phone and a system exchange messages in real time during a session.
Does USSD need internet or data?
No. USSD runs over the mobile network itself, so it works with no data bundle and no internet connection, on any phone.
How much does a USSD code cost in Kenya?
A shared code costs from KES 8,000 a month with free setup. A dedicated code costs about KES 270,000 to set up and KES 70,000 a month on Safaricom. Session charges are paid by the customer's airtime or by the business.
Can any business get a USSD code in Kenya?
Registered businesses and organisations can. You need a signed application form, your business registration document and your KRA PIN certificate.
Want a USSD code for your business? See USSD codes in Kenya or create a free account and apply in the portal.
