USSD Codes
Interactive Menus That Work on Every Phone in Kenya
Interactive Menus That Work on Every Phone in Kenya
Build interactive USSD menus that run on any mobile phone — no internet, no smartphone, no app. MobiWave provisions shared and dedicated USSD shortcodes through the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK), wires them to your REST API, and lets you trigger M-Pesa STK Push from any menu step. Perfect for banking, payments, surveys and customer self-service in areas with limited connectivity.
Get StartedKey Features
Practical capabilities built for delivery, control, and measurable growth.
Works on every GSM phone — feature phones included, no data or app
No internet required; menus run over the carrier signalling channel
Custom multi-level menu flows with branching logic
Real-time session responses and live input capture
Swahili and English menu localization out of the box
REST API + webhook integration with session state management
Per-session analytics and drop-off reporting
Shared and dedicated shortcodes to fit any budget
M-Pesa STK Push triggered from any menu step
Sandbox test-bed for building and validating menus before go-live
Why Choose Our USSD Codes Service?
- Reach customers in rural and low-connectivity areas where smartphones and data are scarce
- Instant menu responses with no app install or onboarding friction
- Cost-effective for both your business and your customers
- Secure, carrier-grade transactions on Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom
- Collect M-Pesa payments inside the same menu flow — no channel switching
- 24/7 local Nairobi support via phone, email and WhatsApp
Get Started Today
Ready to transform your business communication? Contact us today to learn more about our USSD Codes service.
Use Cases
See how businesses like yours are using our USSD Codes service.
Mobile banking & wallets
Balance checks, mini-statements, transfers and PIN changes via USSD on any phone.
M-Pesa collections
Trigger STK Push inside a USSD menu for contributions, dues, airtime top-up and bill pay.
Customer surveys
Run interactive USSD questionnaires and polls with branching questions and instant scoring.
Information services
Deliver crop prices, exam results, clinic schedules and product availability without data.
Account management
Let customers register, subscribe, pause or upgrade services entirely through the menu.
Voting & registration
Conduct elections, membership drives and event check-in with one-tap confirmations.
Loyalty & rewards
Redeem points, check balances and claim airtime or data rewards from the menu.
Agricultural advisory
Push weather alerts and farming tips to smallholder farmers on the simplest handsets.
How USSD Codes works in Kenya
From registration to live delivery, here is what working with MobiWave looks like.
Choose shared or dedicated
Shared USSD is KES 11,000 setup + KES 8,000/month +VAT and goes live fast on a sub-keyword. Dedicated is your own code at KES 40,000 up-front + KES 40,000/month +VAT for full branding and control.
Apply through the CAK
Shortcodes are allocated by the Communications Authority of Kenya. MobiWave prepares and submits the application with your business registration and a signed company letterhead, so you skip the paperwork.
Carrier provisioning
Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom provision the code on their signalling infrastructure. Shared codes can be live within days; dedicated codes follow CAK approval, which typically takes several weeks.
Build in the test-bed
Use the 30-day test-bed environment (KES 32,000 +VAT) to develop menus, wire your API and validate session flows before real traffic reaches your systems.
Go live
Point your menus at your REST endpoint or webhook. Real subscriber sessions flow through, with per-session analytics and drop-off reporting in the MobiWave dashboard.
Bundle with M-Pesa, SMS & WhatsApp
Add M-Pesa STK Push, bulk SMS, WhatsApp and airtime rewards from the same MobiWave account — one billing line, one support contact.
MobiWave vs other providers in Kenya
A side-by-side look at how MobiWave compares on the things that matter for Kenyan organisations.
| Capability | MobiWave | Africa's Talking | Celcom Africa | Twilio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shared USSD code | KES 11,000 setup + KES 8,000/mo | Available (quote) | Available | Not supported |
| Dedicated USSD code | KES 40,000 setup + KES 40,000/mo | Available (quote) | Available | Not supported |
| Test-bed / sandbox | KES 32,000 / 30 days | Yes | Yes | N/A |
| M-Pesa STK Push from menu | Native, bundled | Yes (add-on) | Yes | No |
| CAK shortcode application | Handled for you | Self-service docs | Assisted | No local team |
| Local 24/7 support | Phone + WhatsApp | Developer-only | Business hours | No local team |
| Bundle with SMS & WhatsApp | One account | Add-ons | Add-ons | Separate products |
MobiWave figures are published rates (VAT extra). Competitor USSD models are typically quote-based — confirm before contract. Twilio has no native Kenya USSD shortcode product.
Pricing
Choose the plan that best fits your business needs.
Dedicated USSD
- Up-front fee: KES 40,000 +VAT
- Monthly fee: KES 40,000 +VAT
- Dedicated USSD code
- Full customization
- Customer charged for access
- 24/7 support
- API integration
Test-Bed Service
- 30-day test environment
- Development access
- Testing capabilities
- Extension: KES 32,000 +VAT
- Technical support
Shared USSD
- Shared USSD code
- Monthly fee: KES 8,000 +VAT
- Cost-effective
- Standard support
USSD Codes questions, answered.
The practical questions Kenyan organisations ask about ussd codes, with straight answers and KES pricing where it applies.
Still have a question? Talk to us →MobiWave offers three options. Shared USSD is KES 11,000 setup + KES 8,000/month (+VAT). Dedicated USSD is KES 110,000 total — KES 40,000 up-front + KES 40,000/month (+VAT) — for your own branded code. A 30-day test-bed for development is KES 32,000 (+VAT). All prices are exclusive of VAT; end-user per-session charges from the carrier are billed to your customers, not to you.
Get in touch with our team today to discuss how MobiWave can help your business communicate more effectively.