Last verified: July 2026
Quick Answer
Important Service Notice: There is currently no universal, direct USSD code across South Africa that grants an emergency “electricity advance” or “loan” directly from a mobile network (such as Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, or Telkom) to a meter unless offered through a specific bank’s overdraft/credit menu or a specialised municipal micro-credit scheme.
So if you are out of power and short on cash, an electricity advance reaches you through one of two routes only: a bank overdraft or credit facility opened from a banking USSD menu, or an authorised retail wallet advance. There is no separate electricity advance code to memorise. You dial your bank.
To buy power or reach available funds through standard banking USSD shortcodes:
- Capitec:
*120*3279# - FNB:
*120*321# - Standard Bank:
*120*2345# - Absa:
*120*2272# - Nedbank:
*120*001#
What an Electricity Advance Is and Who Can Use It
An emergency electricity advance lets a customer without enough money in the account take a prepaid token now and repay the cost, plus any service fee, on the next deposit or top-up. People search for it as advance electricity, prepaid electricity advance, how to borrow electricity, how to get electricity advance, or how to do electricity advance when the meter runs flat at an awkward hour. Every one of those describes the same arrangement: credit extended against your next payment, not a gift from the utility.
Prerequisites and Eligibility
- Supported Meters: Standard Eskom and municipal prepaid meters (STS-compliant).
- Registered SIM and Account: Your mobile number must be linked to an active bank account, mobile wallet, or registered municipality profile.
- Exclusions: Mobile airtime cannot be turned into an emergency electricity token unless a network offers a specific micro-lending feature tied to financial services.
How to Get an Electricity Advance
Before You Start
- Write down your 11-digit or 13-digit Prepaid Meter Number. This is the electricity advance number the menu will ask for, and it is printed on the meter itself and on any previous token slip.
- Check your phone has enough coverage to hold a USSD session open.
- Confirm your bank account or wallet actually carries credit or overdraft eligibility, because the advance comes from that facility.
Step by Step: How to Do an Electricity Advance Through a Bank Menu
- Dial your bank’s official USSD code (for example
*120*321#for FNB or*120*3279#for Capitec). - Enter your secure 5-digit USSD PIN.
- Select Buy / Prepaid from the main menu.
- Choose Electricity.
- Select or enter your Prepaid Meter Number.
- Select the payment source. To take an advance rather than spend cleared funds, choose the credit facility or overdraft option.
- Confirm the transaction details, including meter number, amount, and the fee breakdown.
Confirmation or Expected Result
Once the purchase completes, an SMS arrives carrying:
- Your 20-digit STS Electricity Token.
- The token value in Kilowatt-hours (kWh).
- A transaction reference number.
- The total cost debited to your account or credit line.
Fees, Limits, Eligibility, and Processing Times
| Feature | Details / Verification Requirement |
| USSD Session Fee | Standard network operator charges apply (approx. 20c per 20 seconds). |
| Transaction Fee | Set by your bank or authorised vendor (ranges from R0.00 to R2.50 per purchase). |
| Minimum Purchase | Typically R20.00 to R50.00, depending on municipal rules. |
| Maximum Purchase | Subject to daily banking or credit limits (typically up to R1,000 per day via USSD). |
| Processing Time | Tokens are delivered via SMS within 1 to 5 minutes. |
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
Code, Session, SIM, or Account Errors
- “Connection Problem or Invalid MMI Code”: Network congestion. Wait 60 seconds and dial again.
- “Session Timed Out”: USSD sessions close after 30–60 seconds of inactivity. Have the meter number in front of you before you dial.
- “User Not Registered”: You have to register your bank account for USSD banking before you can transact.
When the Service Has Changed or Is Unavailable
- Network Outages: If network USSD is down, move to the official banking app or an authorised vendor.
- Charged but no token: Check your SMS inbox first. If nothing arrived, call your bank’s customer service number or ask the vendor portal to reprint the token against your reference number. Do not simply buy again, or you will pay twice.
Official Alternatives
When the USSD route fails or is unavailable, these are the authorised alternatives:
- Official Banking Apps: The Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank, Absa, and Nedbank apps all buy prepaid electricity against a credit or overdraft facility.
- Authorised Digital Vendors: Verified portals such as EasyPay, Powertime, or Prepaid24.
- In-Store Retailers: Buy tokens at Pick n Pay, Shoprite, Checkers, or SPAR using card, cash, or a store credit account.
Safety and Privacy
SECURITY WARNING:
- Never share your Banking PIN or One-Time PIN (OTP) with anyone, by phone, over USSD, or on social media.
- Check the 11- or 13-digit meter number on the confirmation screen before you finalise. A token bought against the wrong meter number cannot be recalled.
- Treat “discounted electricity tokens” and any upfront payment to an unofficial shortcode as a scam.
- If you suspect fraud on your profile, call your bank’s fraud line immediately and have the USSD profile blocked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current electricity advance code?
There is no standalone national USSD code for emergency electricity advances. An advance is taken through your bank’s USSD credit or overdraft menu, for example *120*321# for FNB or *120*3279# for Capitec, or through an authorised vendor menu.
How do I borrow electricity when I have no money?
Open your bank’s USSD menu, choose Buy then Electricity, and pick the credit or overdraft facility as the payment source rather than the account balance. The token issues immediately and the cost is recovered from your next deposit. If the account carries no credit facility, no USSD route will create one for you.
What is the electricity advance number I need?
The number the menu asks for is your 11-digit or 13-digit prepaid meter number, printed on the meter and on earlier token slips. It is not your account number and not your cellphone number.
Who qualifies for a prepaid electricity advance?
That is decided by your bank or financial provider, not by the municipality. You generally need an active account with an approved overdraft or credit line, or a track record with a supported micro-credit vendor.
Which meter types are supported?
All standard STS (Standard Transfer Specification) prepaid meters run by Eskom or a local municipality.
How is the token delivered?
The 20-digit token comes to your handset by SMS as soon as the transaction confirms, and it is usually shown on screen at the end of the USSD session as well.
What should I do if the prepaid electricity USSD route does not work?
Check your mobile signal first. If it keeps failing, use your banking app, an online vendor portal such as EasyPay, or buy the token at a retail counter.