Rwanda mobile money USSD codes — MTN MoMo *182#, Airtel Money *500#
Rwanda mobile money USSD codes: MTN MoMo via *182# (the main rail), Airtel Money via *500# (and *182# on Airtel SIMs, which points to Airtel not MTN — USSD is per-SIM). Here's the full map of paths — Virtual Card creation, MoMoPay, balance check, send, withdraw, loan — all verified against MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda June 2026.
✓ Verified June 2026.MTN Rwanda USSD codes and procedures verified against official sources. No tariffs are quoted on this page.
The MTN MoMo *182# menu — detailed paths
- *182# → main menu (Send / Withdraw / Pay Merchant / Virtual Card / Bills / Other Services / My Account)
- *182*6*2# → CREATE a Virtual Mastercard
- *182*2*6# option 4 → VIEW Virtual Card details (16 digits / mm-yy / CVV)
- *182*7*2# → confirm a withdrawal after the agent session (per configuration)
- P2P send: *182# → 1. Send Money → recipient number → amount → PIN
- Merchant payment (MoMoPay): *182# → Pay Merchant option → merchant code → amount → PIN
- Check balance: *182# → My Account → Check Balance (free)
Some paths may vary slightly as MTN updates the menu — always check confirmation SMS before entering the PIN.
The Airtel Money *500# menu
- *500# → Airtel Money main menu (Send / Withdraw / Buy Airtime / Pay Bills / My Account)
- Send: *500# → 1. Transfer Money → number → amount → PIN
- Airtime purchase: *500# → 2. Buy Airtime → number → amount → PIN
- *182# on an Airtel SIM also works for Airtel Money — USSD is per-SIM, not per-code
Frequently asked questions
What's the main MTN MoMo USSD code?
*182# on an MTN SIM. The main menu lists every operation: send, withdraw, pay merchant (MoMoPay), create/view Virtual Card, check balance, buy airtime, pay REG/WASAC bills. Menu is in English by default, with a sub-menu to switch to French or Kinyarwanda.
And for Airtel Money?
On Airtel SIMs, dial *500# (the main code). *182# on Airtel SIMs also works for Airtel Money. Important: *182# on MTN SIM = MTN MoMo; *182# on Airtel SIM = Airtel Money. USSD is per-SIM, so the same code goes to different services depending on your operator.
Does USSD cost data or airtime?
No. MoMo USSD sessions (*182# and *500#) are free — that's the major advantage vs the app: works on the most basic phone, no data needed, costs nothing to dial. You only pay operator fees on the transactions themselves (send, withdraw, bill payment) per the tariff.
Does the menu work in Kinyarwanda?
Yes. On first access, the *182# menu asks for your preferred language — Ikinyarwanda, English or Français. The choice is remembered for future sessions. You can change it any time via the Profile/Settings menu. Confirmation SMS follow the chosen language.
What if the USSD menu cuts in the middle of a transaction?
If the USSD session expires (usually after 90 seconds without input) before you've entered the PIN, the transaction is NOT executed — nothing is debited. Dial *182# again and start over. If the session expires AFTER the PIN, immediately check your balance and SMS history to confirm the status before retrying.