Quick Facts

• No bank account needed – works on any South African phone
• Zero monthly fees – you only pay for some transactions
• Free electricity, airtime, and bill payments
• Access through app or dial *120*151# (MTN users)
• Over 13 million South Africans now use MoMo

What is MTN MoMo?

MTN MoMo (Mobile Money) is a digital wallet that lets you store, send, and receive money using just your phone. Think of it as a bank account that lives on your phone – but you don’t need a traditional bank account to use it.

MTN first launched MoMo in South Africa in 2012 but had to close it in 2016. They brought it back in January 2020 with better features and lower costs. Today, over 13 million South Africans use MoMo, making it one of the fastest-growing financial services in the country.

The best part? It works on any phone – from the latest smartphone to basic phones that can only make calls and send SMS. All transactions are secured by African Bank Limited, so your money is protected.

✅ How to Register for MTN MoMo

Good news: You don’t need to be an MTN customer to use MoMo! Anyone with any South African phone number can register and use the MoMo app.

What You Need:

• Any South African phone number (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C, or Telkom)
• Valid South African ID, passport, or driver’s licence
• Your personal details (full name, date of birth, address)

Two Ways to Register:

Option 1: Through the MoMo App

1. Download “MTN MoMo SA” from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
2. Open the app and tap “Register”
3. Enter your phone number and verify with the SMS code
4. Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your ID
5. Take a photo of your ID document
6. Create a 4-digit PIN (keep this secret!)
7. Wait for approval – usually takes a few minutes

Option 2: Visit an MTN Agent

1. Find an MTN store or MoMo agent (look for MTN signs)
2. Bring your ID and phone
3. Tell them you want to register for MoMo
4. Fill out the registration form
5. They’ll set up your account and help you create your PIN

💰 MTN MoMo Costs and Fees

The good news: MTN MoMo has ZERO monthly fees. You only pay for certain transactions, and many services are completely free.

FREE Services (R0 cost):

• ✅ Buying electricity (prepaid tokens)
• ✅ Paying bills (DStv, municipal accounts, etc.)
• ✅ Playing Lotto and Powerball
• ✅ Buying airtime and data bundles
• ✅ Buying betting vouchers
• ✅ Account registration and monthly maintenance

Services with Fees:

Service	Cost
Sending money to other MoMo users	Small fee applies*
Withdrawing cash at agents	Small fee applies*
Transferring to bank account	2% of amount
Adding money through agents	Small fee applies*

*Exact fees vary by amount. Check the latest fees in your MoMo app or visit an MTN store for current rates.

Adding Money to Your MoMo Account

Before you can send money or pay bills, you need to add cash to your MoMo account. Here are the ways to do it:

1. Through MTN Stores

Visit any MTN store with cash and your ID. Tell them you want to add money to your MoMo account. They’ll ask for your phone number and the amount. No fee for deposits at MTN stores.

2. Through MoMo Agents

Look for shops displaying MoMo agent signs. Give them cash and your phone number. They’ll add the money to your account. A small fee applies for agent deposits.

3. Through the App

You can link a bank card to your MoMo app and transfer money from your bank account. This is convenient if you already have a bank account.

4. From Friends and Family

Other MoMo users can send money directly to your account. Just share your phone number with them.

✅ How to Send Money with MoMo

Using the MoMo App:

1. Open your MoMo app
2. Tap “Send Money”
3. Enter the recipient’s phone number
4. Enter the amount you want to send
5. Add a message (optional)
6. Enter your PIN to confirm
7. Both you and the recipient get SMS confirmation

Using USSD (MTN customers only):

1. Dial *120*151# on your phone
2. Select “Send Money”
3. Choose “To MoMo User”
4. Enter recipient’s number and amount
5. Enter your PIN
6. Confirm the transaction

Sending Cash Vouchers:

You can also send “cash vouchers” to any South African phone number, even if they don’t have MoMo. The recipient gets an SMS with a code they can use to collect cash at any MoMo agent.

Paying Bills with MoMo (All FREE!)

One of the best things about MoMo is that bill payments are completely free. No extra charges for paying your accounts!

Bills You Can Pay for Free:

• ✅ Prepaid electricity (Eskom and municipal)
• ✅ DStv, OpenView, and StarSat subscriptions
• ✅ Municipal accounts (water, rates, refuse)
• ✅ Insurance premiums
• ✅ School fees
• ✅ Airtime and data for any network
• ✅ Lotto and Powerball tickets

How to Pay Bills:

Using the App:

1. Open your MoMo app
2. Tap “Pay Bills” or “Buy” (depending on the service)
3. Select the type of bill (e.g., “Electricity”, “DStv”)
4. Enter your account number or meter number
5. Enter the amount
6. Enter your PIN to pay
7. Keep the SMS receipt as proof of payment

Using USSD (*120*151# for MTN users):

1. Dial *120*151#
2. Select “Buy” or “Pay Bills”
3. Choose your service
4. Follow the prompts to enter details and pay

🚨 How to Avoid MoMo Scams

Warning: MoMo scams are unfortunately common. Fraudsters try to trick people into sending money or sharing their PIN. Here’s how to protect yourself.

Common Scam Types:

1. “Social Engineering” Scams

Fraudsters call pretending to be from MTN or banks. They ask for your PIN, saying they need to “verify” or “update” your account. This is always a scam.

2. “Wrong Number” Scams

Someone sends you money “by mistake” then asks you to send it back to a different number. The original transaction is usually fraudulent and gets reversed later.

3. “Cash Prize” Scams

SMS or calls claiming you’ve won money. They ask you to send a “processing fee” or “tax payment” first. No legitimate company asks winners to pay to receive prizes.

How to Stay Safe:

If You Think You’ve Been Scammed:

1. Call MTN immediately on 135 (from MTN) or 083 135
2. Report the incident to your nearest police station
3. Keep all SMS messages as evidence
4. Change your MoMo PIN immediately
5. Report to SABRIC (South African Banking Risk Information Centre)

💡 Pro Tip: Keep your MoMo app updated and use the latest version. MTN regularly adds security improvements and new features. You can also enable biometric login (fingerprint or face ID) for extra security.

MTN MoMo is excellent for South Africans who want a simple, affordable way to manage money without a bank account. The zero monthly fees and free bill payments make it especially valuable for budget-conscious users.

Best for: Paying bills, buying electricity, sending money to family, and avoiding bank fees. The fact that it works on any phone makes it accessible to everyone.

Be cautious about: Scammers who target MoMo users. Never share your PIN and always verify who you’re sending money to.

Getting started: Download the MTN MoMo SA app today and register to claim your R500 Shoprite vouchers. Start with small transactions to get familiar with the system before using it for larger amounts.

Bottom line: MoMo is transforming how millions of South Africans handle money. With proper precautions against scams, it’s a safe, convenient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional banking.