SWAP technology explained

SWAP uses USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Services Data), a data service provided by the cellular telephone networks. This means that while the screens you’ll see look like SMS messages, they work in “sessions” and behave a little differently from what you may be used to. Here’s what to expect:

  • Because USSD doesn’t allow you to reconnect using your cellphone’s redial function, you should always save a SWAP Code to your contact list before you dial it.


  • You’ll keep your eyes on the screen and you’ll be guided step by step by the information that appears there.


  • Your cellphone network will send a “session” to your phone containing the SWAP menu.(USSD sessions always provide you with menus to help you navigate their content.)


  • You’ll make your payment during that session and then the session will expire leaving no record on your phone.


  • You’ll decide on an option on the SWAP menu (make sure you remember the number next to it). Then press Answer, OK or Reply  to open up a text entry field.


  • You’ll press the corresponding key on your keypad to confirm each of your choices and submit them using OK or Send (depending on your handset.)


  • Once you’ve made all your selections and confirmed your payment, the session will disappear from your handset and no financial or personal information will remain on the phone. That’s why SWAP and its USSD sessions are so safe.


  • The next time you dial a SWAP Code you’ll receive an entirely new session.


  • USSD sessions expire in two to three minutes and that’ll usually be more than long enough to complete your transaction. If you’re still busy when a session expires, you’ll receive a time-out message. Simply dial the SWAP Code again and carry on from where you left off. (That’s why it’s a great idea to save SWAP Codes to your cellphone contact list.)


  • To end a SWAP session at any time, press Answer/Reply, enter # (hash) and press OK/Send. (If you exit in any other way and dial in again within 15 minutes, you may not be able to perform any other actions on the SWAP menu until you exit using the # key.)

  • Different phones display USSD sessions slightly differently. Refer to our cellphone guide for information on using USSD with various phone models.

SWAP Customer Care Centre - 0861 1179 27, Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm and Saturdays, 8.00 am to 1.00 pm