USSD & Short Codes for AfricaUSSD & Short Codes for Africa
USSD short code Africa services from Celcom Africa let businesses build interactive menus, surveys, and mobile banking flows that work on every phone - no internet required.
USSD short code Africa services for interactive menus, surveys, and mobile banking - works on every phone, no data required.
Trusted across African enterprises
Trusted by Aar, Bidco, Creditinfo, Devki, Dhl, Kengen, Kimisitu, Muthokinju, Pathcare, Premier Hosp, Royal Milk, Safeboda, U&I Microfinance, Unaitas, Unicef, Username, Usernamesacco, Yego
Why businesses choose Celcom Africa's USSD & Short Codes
One African messaging stack - routes, compliance, and delivery tools that work together.
Dedicated short codes
Your own exclusive short code for branded USSD and SMS services.
Interactive USSD menus
Multi-level menus for account lookup, payments, surveys, and registrations.
Feature phone reach
Works on every mobile phone - no app download or data connection needed.
Session management
Handle multi-step interactions with timeout and state management.
Two-way SMS short codes
Shared short codes for voting, competitions, and keyword campaigns.
API integration
Connect USSD sessions to your backend for real-time account data and transactions.
The channel for the feature-phone majority
Hundreds of millions of Africans still rely on phones without data. USSD is the interactive channel that reaches them - dial a code, navigate a menu, complete a task.
- Works without internet on any handset
- Dedicated and shared short codes
- Two-way SMS short codes for voting and keywords
How USSD & Short Codes works
- 1
Define your use case
Map the menu flow - account balance, payment, survey, or registration steps.
- 2
Rent a short code
Choose dedicated or shared codes available in your target country.
- 3
Build the USSD menu
Celcom configures your menu tree and connects it to your API endpoints.
- 4
Test on networks
Verify the flow on target carriers before launching to customers.
- 5
Go live
Customers dial your code and interact with your service from any phone.
Common use cases
From Nairobi fintechs to Lagos retailers - teams across Africa run customer-critical messaging on Celcom every day.
- Mobile banking balance and mini-statement lookup
- Agricultural information and market price services
- TV and radio voting and competitions
- Customer self-service account management
- Survey and data collection in rural areas
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between USSD and SMS?
USSD creates interactive menu sessions when users dial a short code. SMS is one-way or two-way text messaging. USSD works without internet on any phone.
How much does a USSD short code cost?
Dedicated and shared code rental fees vary by country. See our pricing page for USSD and short code rates.
Can I connect USSD to my backend API?
Yes. USSD sessions call your API endpoints in real time for account data, payments, and dynamic menu content.
Do you support USSD in Kenya?
Yes. We provide USSD codes and menu development on Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom networks.
How long does USSD setup take?
Short code rental and menu development typically takes 1-2 weeks depending on complexity and network approval.
Launch your USSD service
Talk to our team about short code rental and menu development.
Code rental and per-session pricing - see our USSD pricing tab. REST API, webhooks, and ready-made plugins connect Celcom to your existing systems.