Calls, data and texts in Ghana all run on prepaid credit for most people, so a top-up from the UK goes a long way. If you have family in Accra, Kumasi or Tamale, this guide shows you how to use our Ghana mobile top-up properly, from choosing the network to understanding what happens once you have paid.
Which networks in Ghana does the top-up cover?
You can top up MTN, Telecel and AirtelTigo numbers. Telecel is the brand that replaced Vodafone Ghana, so if your relative still talks about a Vodafone line, choose Telecel. All three networks offer the same six cedi amounts, but the price in pounds varies slightly between them, so select the right network before you compare costs.
Ghana allows number porting, and many people keep an MTN line alongside a second SIM. Confirm with the recipient which line they want credited instead of relying on the prefix.
The top-up works on prepaid lines. Postpaid or business accounts billed monthly cannot be credited through this page.
How do I format a Ghanaian mobile number for a top-up?
The country code for Ghana is +233. Within Ghana, mobile numbers are ten digits long and start with 0, such as 02x xxx xxxx or 05x xxx xxxx. To use one internationally, take off that opening zero and add 233, so you end up with +233 xx xxx xxxx. There should be nine digits after the code.
- As written in Ghana: 0xx xxx xxxx
- As entered in the Ghana Mobile Number field: +233 xx xxx xxxx
Two errors crop up again and again. One is keeping the zero, which gives ten digits after 233 instead of nine. The other is mixing up the code with neighbouring countries when copying from an address book full of West African contacts. Ghana is 233; Nigeria, for example, is 234.
What cedi amounts can I send, and what do they cost?
Every network offers 30, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 450 GHS. The 30 GHS option is £3.49 on all three. At the top end, 450 GHS costs £52.19 on MTN, £51.39 on Telecel and £50.99 on AirtelTigo. Across the range, prices run from £3.49 to £52.19, and each figure is confirmed on the product page.
| Network | Amounts (GHS) | Price range (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| MTN | 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 450 | £3.49 to £52.19 |
| Telecel | 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 450 | £3.49 to £51.39 |
| AirtelTigo | 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 450 | £3.49 to £50.99 |
For a middle amount, 100 GHS is £11.69 on MTN, £11.49 on Telecel and £11.39 on AirtelTigo. The differences are small, but they are why picking the network first matters.
The cedi value is what we send to the operator. How it shows as airtime, and any bundle the recipient buys with it, is decided by the network.
Which details should I verify before paying?
Before you transfer any money, check that the network is MTN, Telecel or AirtelTigo as appropriate, that the number reads 233 followed by nine digits, that the cedi amount is correct, and that your email address has no typos. A moment spent on this list is far less trouble than sorting out a top-up that went astray.
- Network matches the SIM the person uses today.
- Number has no leading zero after 233.
- Amount in GHS is the one agreed.
- Email address is correct for our updates.
How do I pay for a Ghana top-up by UK bank transfer?
We accept UK bank transfer or PayPal. When the order is placed, you will be shown your order number alongside our bank account details. Make a transfer for the precise total from your UK bank and write the order number as the reference. We use that reference to recognise your payment and release the Ghana top-up.
A new payee can prompt your bank to ask extra questions or to hold the first transfer briefly. Answer the prompts and the payment will continue. For a fuller walk-through of each step, see how to pay by bank transfer.
When will the credit appear on the Ghana number?
The order is handled once your payment is confirmed. At that point the credit is usually applied to the Ghanaian number, and we email you to say the top-up has been sent. The recipient will often get a text from MTN, Telecel or AirtelTigo as well. Because banks take different amounts of time to clear checks, we avoid quoting fixed times.
If you have the confirmation but the person in Ghana sees nothing, ask them to check their balance or restart the phone. If there is still no sign of it, email us with the order number and we will chase it.
What happens if I type the wrong Ghana number?
When an incorrect but valid number is entered, the credit is delivered to whoever holds that number, and the network has no way to take it back. That means a top-up sent to a number mistyped at checkout cannot be refunded. Copying the number from a recent message and counting the nine digits after 233 is the best safeguard.
Spot the error before paying and you can simply leave the order unpaid and let us know so we can cancel it. After payment is confirmed and the credit has gone, it is final.
If you send credit to people in more than one country, the broader guide on how to top up a phone abroad may help.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose Telecel for an old Vodafone Ghana number?
Yes. Vodafone Ghana became Telecel, so pick Telecel for those numbers.
What is the smallest amount I can send to Ghana?
The lowest value is 30 GHS, which is £3.49 on every network.
Can I top up an MTN number and a Telecel number together?
Yes. Add the Ghana top-up to your basket twice, choosing the network and number separately for each.