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If you’ve ever seen a bank use one USSD code on Safaricom and another on Airtel, that could soon become a thing of the past. Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) has introduced a new framework that changes how short codes are allocated, moving from an operator-based system to a service-based one.
So instead of a business needing different codes depending on the network its customers use, one short code can now be tied to the service itself and work across networks. The new framework was announced yesterday, September 8, 2026, and applies to newly assigned codes. That could make life considerably easier for businesses that depend on SMS, USSD and voice services. Think banks sending transaction alerts, schools sending notifications, broadcasters running voting lines, or organisations collecting donations.
Under the old setup, a service could end up with separate codes for Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom customers. The new system means the same service can use a single code across those networks, making it easier to advertise and less confusing for customers. There’s another important change hiding underneath this. Content service providers can now apply directly to the CA for short codes, including bulk allocations they can subsequently assign to their customers.
Previously, these providers had to work through individual mobile operators. For startups and companies building services around USSD and SMS, that removes one layer of negotiation and could make it easier to launch services that work across Kenya’s mobile networks from day one.