ECG Prepaid Top-Up Guide: All Payment Methods (2026)

Topping up your ECG prepaid meter in Ghana now takes less than three minutes if you know which channels work, what fees apply, and how to enter your 20-digit token without errors. This guide covers every payment method ECG accepts as of April 2026, compares transaction fees across mobile money wallets and banking apps, and walks you through token entry on common meter brands including Conlog, Hexing, and Landis+Gyr.

Whether you buy credit at GHS 10 or GHS 500, the process is identical: pay via your chosen channel, receive a 20-digit token via SMS, enter it on your meter keypad, and confirm the units loaded. The difference lies in convenience, fees, and speed. Some channels deliver tokens in 10 seconds. Others take 15 minutes during peak hours.

TL;DR

• ECG prepaid credit costs the same per kWh no matter where you buy it (GHS 1.9869 per kWh as of April 2026)
• Transaction fees vary: MTN MoMo charges 0.75%, Telecel 1%, bank apps typically free
• All methods send a 20-digit token via SMS that you key into your meter
• Minimum top-up is GHS 5 (April 2026), maximum is GHS 5,000 per transaction (April 2026)
• Tokens expire after 30 days if not entered

How ECG Prepaid Meters Work

ECG prepaid meters separate electricity consumption from billing. You pay upfront for units (measured in kilowatt-hours), load them onto your meter, and use what you bought. When your balance drops below 5 kWh, the meter beeps a warning. At zero, power cuts off until you top up again.

Every meter has a unique 11-digit account number printed on the front panel. This number is your payment reference. When you send money via any channel, ECG’s vending system generates a 20-digit numeric token tied to your meter. Enter that token on your keypad, press the blue or enter button, and the purchased units appear on your display.

The system is national. A meter installed in Accra works the same as one in Tamale or Takoradi. The account number format is consistent: two digits for region code, nine digits for the unique meter ID.

Where to Buy ECG Prepaid Credit

Mobile Money (MTN, Telecel, AirtelTigo)

Mobile money is the fastest top-up method for most Ghanaians. All three major telcos support ECG prepaid vending through their USSD menus and smartphone apps.

MTN MoMo:
1. Dial *170#
2. Select 6 (Financial Services)
3. Select 3 (Utility Payments)
4. Select 1 (ECG)
5. Enter your 11-digit meter number
6. Enter amount (GHS 5 to GHS 5,000, April 2026)
7. Confirm with PIN

Fee: 0.75% of transaction value (April 2026) (e.g. GHS 3.75 on a GHS 500 top-up). Token arrives via SMS within 10 to 60 seconds during off-peak hours, up to 5 minutes during evening rush (6pm to 9pm).

Telecel Cash:
1. Dial *110#
2. Select 4 (Pay Bills)
3. Select 2 (ECG Prepaid)
4. Enter meter number
5. Enter amount
6. Confirm with PIN

Fee: 1% of transaction value (April 2026). Token delivery averages 30 seconds to 2 minutes.

AirtelTigo Money:
1. Dial *110#
2. Select 5 (Bill Payments)
3. Select 1 (ECG)
4. Enter meter number and amount
5. Confirm with PIN

Fee: 1% capped at GHS 10 (April 2026). Token delivery 1 to 3 minutes.

All three telcos also offer ECG top-up through their smartphone apps (MoMo App, Telecel SuperApp, AirtelTigo Money App). The flow is identical but visual instead of USSD-based. Some users report faster token delivery via app compared to USSD during peak hours, likely due to backend queue prioritisation.

Bank Mobile Apps

Most Ghanaian banks integrated ECG prepaid vending into their mobile apps between 2022 and 2024. The interface is cleaner than USSD, and many banks waive transaction fees for utility payments.

Banks confirmed zero-fee for ECG prepaid (as of April 2026):
– Absa Ghana
– Ecobank Ghana
– Fidelity Bank
– GCB Bank
– Standard Chartered Ghana
– Zenith Bank Ghana

Process (similar across all apps):
1. Log into mobile banking app
2. Navigate to Payments or Bills section
3. Select ECG Prepaid
4. Enter meter number
5. Enter amount
6. Approve with fingerprint, PIN, or Face ID

Token arrives via SMS within 1 to 5 minutes. Banks pull from the same ECG vending system as mobile money, so token generation speed is comparable. The advantage is zero transaction fee. The disadvantage: you need airtime or data to open the app, whereas USSD works on zero balance if you have network signal.

ECG District Offices and Licensed Vendors

ECG operates 18 district offices across Ghana where you can buy credit in person. Licensed vendors (small shops displaying ECG signage) also sell prepaid credit for a small markup.

District office process:
1. Queue at the prepaid sales counter
2. Provide your meter number and cash
3. Cashier prints a receipt with your 20-digit token
4. Walk out and key it in

No transaction fee at district offices. Vendors typically charge GHS 1 to GHS 5 flat service fee (April 2026) depending on top-up amount and location. Accra vendors near Makola or Kaneshie charge higher markups (GHS 3 to GHS 5, April 2026) than suburban or rural vendors (GHS 1 to GHS 2, April 2026).

Advantage: works for customers without smartphones or mobile money wallets. Disadvantage: queues can stretch 30 minutes during month-end salary weekends. Vendor markup eats into your units.

Online via ECG Website

ECG’s official prepaid portal at ecgprepaid.com accepts Visa, Mastercard, and mobile money. The site launched in 2020 and remains functional but underused.

Process:
1. Visit ecgprepaid.com
2. Enter meter number
3. Enter amount (minimum GHS 20 for card payments, April 2026)
4. Choose payment method (card or MoMo)
5. Complete payment
6. Token sent to email and phone

Fee: 1.5% for card payments (Visa/Mastercard gateway fee, April 2026), 0.75% for MoMo (April 2026). Token delivery averages 2 to 10 minutes. Some users report delays up to 30 minutes during high-traffic periods (Sunday evenings, month-end).

The portal is reliable but offers no advantage over direct mobile money payment unless you prefer paying by card. Card transactions require 3D Secure verification (OTP from your bank), which adds a step.

WhatsApp via ECG Bot

In March 2025, ECG piloted a WhatsApp chatbot for prepaid top-up. Add +233 20 055 0100 to your contacts, send “Hi” to start, and follow prompts to pay via linked mobile money wallet.

As of April 2026, the bot is live but glitchy. Token delivery is inconsistent (sometimes instant, sometimes never arrives), and ECG has not promoted it widely. Test it if you’re adventurous, but fall back to USSD or app if the token doesn’t arrive within 10 minutes.

Step-by-Step: Entering Your Token

Once you receive the 20-digit token via SMS, you have 30 days to load it. After 30 days, the token expires and you must contact ECG for a refund (refunds take 7 to 14 business days and require visiting a district office with proof of payment).

General process (works on most meters):
1. Press the blue button or enter key on your meter keypad
2. The display shows Enter Token or similar prompt
3. Key in all 20 digits (no spaces, no dashes)
4. Press enter or the blue button again
5. Display shows Accepted and new balance in kWh

Common meter brands in Ghana:

Conlog meters (most common in Accra and Kumasi):
– Press the blue button once
– Display shows Enter Token
– Key in 20 digits
– Press blue button again
– Screen flashes Accepted then shows new balance

Hexing meters (common in Tema and Takoradi):
– Press 07 then enter
– Display prompts for token
– Enter 20 digits
– Press enter
– Balance updates

Landis+Gyr meters (scattered nationwide):
– Press the enter key twice quickly
– Display shows token prompt
– Enter 20 digits
– Press enter once
– Display confirms units loaded

If the meter rejects your token (Invalid Token or Error), double-check you entered all 20 digits correctly. Tokens are case-insensitive (all numbers), so typos are the main cause of rejection. If you’re certain the entry is correct and it still fails, the token may be for a different meter. Contact ECG’s prepaid hotline at 0302 611 611 with your meter number and transaction receipt.

Transaction Fees Compared (April 2026)

For customers topping up GHS 200 or more per month (April 2026), switching from Telecel (1%) to a zero-fee bank app saves GHS 24 per year (April 2026). Over five years, that’s GHS 120 (April 2026), enough to cover roughly 60 kWh of electricity.

Ghana-Specific Considerations

Regional Tariff Differences

ECG’s prepaid tariff is uniform nationwide, but distribution losses and grid infrastructure vary by region. The displayed rate (GHS 1.9869 per kWh as of April 2026) includes Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) approved adjustments. Northern regions (Upper East, Upper West, Northern, Savannah, North East) receive a small subsidy that lowers effective cost by about 3%, reflected in slightly more kWh per cedi at point of vending.

Customers in Greater Accra and Ashanti regions pay the base rate with no subsidy. Western and Central regions align with the national average.

Lifeline Tariff for Low Consumers

If your household consumes less than 50 kWh per month, you qualify for ECG’s lifeline tariff (GHS 0.2745 per kWh as of April 2026, an 86% discount). This tariff applies automatically when you top up. If your consumption crosses 50 kWh in a billing cycle, the meter switches to standard tariff for the excess units.

To confirm your meter is flagged for lifeline, check your last top-up receipt SMS. It should show two unit allocations: one at lifeline rate (up to 50 kWh), one at standard rate (any overage). If your meter is not flagged and you believe you qualify, visit your district office with proof of address and last three months’ consumption to apply.

Power Factor Penalties

Some industrial and commercial prepaid meters track power factor (the ratio of real power to apparent power). If your equipment (e.g. heavy motors, welding machines, old air conditioners) has a power factor below 0.9, the meter charges a penalty that reduces your effective kWh per top-up.

Residential meters do not track power factor. This section applies only to three-phase commercial meters. If you run a workshop or factory with a prepaid meter and notice units draining faster than expected, check the power factor display (press 65 then enter on most three-phase meters). If it reads below 0.9, install capacitor banks to correct it and avoid penalties.

Token Sharing Fraud

ECG tokens are meter-specific. Each token works on exactly one meter and cannot be duplicated or transferred. Fraudsters in Accra and Kumasi have sold “universal tokens” or “master codes” that supposedly load free units. These are scams. ECG’s vending system uses encrypted STS (Standard Transfer Specification) tokens. There is no bypass.

If someone approaches you offering discounted ECG credit or bulk tokens, report them to ECG’s fraud hotline (0302 611 611 ext. 4) or the nearest police station. Buying from fraudsters funds criminal networks and gives you nothing.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Token not received after payment:
– Wait 10 minutes. During peak hours (evenings, month-end), backend queues can delay token generation.
– Check your SMS inbox for messages from “ECG” or a 5-digit shortcode.
– Confirm the meter number you entered matches the number on your meter (print it or take a photo before payment to avoid typos).
– If 30 minutes pass with no token, call ECG’s prepaid support at 0302 611 611 or visit your district office with proof of payment (mobile money SMS, bank transaction alert, or receipt).

Meter rejects token (“Invalid Token” error):
– Re-enter the token carefully, digit by digit. Tokens are 20 digits with no letters, spaces, or dashes.
– Confirm the token SMS was sent to the phone number tied to your meter account. If a family member received it by mistake, have them forward it.
– If the token is correct and the meter still rejects it, the token may have been generated for a different meter (data entry error at vending). Contact ECG with your transaction reference and meter number for a replacement token.

Units loaded but meter still shows low balance:
– Press the info button (usually marked i or Display) to cycle through meter screens. The main screen sometimes shows yesterday’s balance if the meter hasn’t refreshed.
– If the correct balance appears on the Total Credit screen but not the main display, the meter’s internal clock may be out of sync. This is cosmetic and doesn’t affect actual consumption. Units will still decrement properly.
– If the purchased units genuinely did not load (e.g. you bought 100 kWh, token was accepted, but balance increased by only 10 kWh), note the exact figures and report to ECG immediately. Meter tampering or backend errors can cause this, and ECG investigates on a case-by-case basis.

Meter beeping at 5 kWh but you just topped up:
– The 5 kWh warning threshold is not adjustable. If you top up frequently in small amounts (e.g. GHS 10 per day, April 2026), you’ll hear the beep daily. To reduce beeping, buy larger amounts less often (e.g. GHS 100 once per week instead of GHS 15 daily, April 2026).
– If the meter beeps even when balance is above 5 kWh, the audible alarm may be stuck. This is a hardware fault. Request a meter inspection via your district office.

Top-up history not showing in ECG app:
– ECG launched a mobile app in late 2024 (available on Google Play as “MyECG”) that displays your last 10 top-ups and daily consumption. As of April 2026, the app syncs only for meters registered after January 2024. Older meters require manual registration. Visit your district office to link your meter to the app.

FAQs

Can I top up someone else’s ECG prepaid meter?
Yes. You need only their 11-digit meter number. Enter it when paying via mobile money, bank app, or any other channel. The token will be sent to the phone number on file with ECG (usually the meter owner’s number), but you can request the token be sent to your number by contacting ECG support before payment. Many Ghanaians abroad top up relatives’ meters this way.

What happens if I enter the wrong meter number when paying?
The token will be generated for the meter number you entered (even if it’s not yours). If you catch the mistake before the token is sent, call ECG immediately (0302 611 611) with your transaction reference to request a reversal. If the token has already been generated and sent, ECG cannot reverse it. You’ll need to contact the owner of that meter (if you know them) to retrieve the token or accept the loss. Always double-check the meter number before confirming payment.

Do ECG prepaid tokens work during power outages?
Yes. Tokens load into your meter’s memory whether power is on or off. If your area has an outage when you try to enter a token, the meter may appear dead (blank screen). Wait for power to return, then enter the token. It will accept the token and update your balance immediately. Tokens do not expire during outages.

Can I get a refund if I over-bought credit?
ECG does not offer refunds for prepaid top-ups unless the transaction failed (you paid but no token was generated) or a technical error caused incorrect unit allocation. If you accidentally topped up GHS 500 when you meant to top up GHS 50 (April 2026), the credit remains on your meter and will be consumed over time. There is no cash-back mechanism. Plan your top-up amounts carefully, especially if funds are tight.

How do I check my remaining balance without an app?
Press the info or display button on your meter (blue button on Conlog, button marked i or 07 on Hexing). The screen cycles through several displays: current balance (kWh remaining), total credit purchased (lifetime), total units consumed (lifetime), meter number, and tariff code. On most meters, balance is screen 1 or 2 in the cycle. If unsure which button to press, check the label on your meter or refer to our guide on reading ECG meters correctly.

Why does my meter show two balances (e.g. “Credit: 45 kWh” and “Emergency: 5 kWh”)?
Most prepaid meters include a 5 kWh emergency reserve. When your main balance hits zero, the meter automatically switches to emergency credit, giving you one last chance to top up before power cuts completely. Once you top up, the emergency reserve recharges to 5 kWh. This feature prevents sudden cutoffs late at night when vending systems may be slow. You cannot access the emergency reserve manually. It activates only when the main balance is zero.

Can I use mobile money to top up if I have no airtime?
Yes. USSD codes like *170# work even on zero airtime balance as long as your phone has network signal. This is a regulatory requirement in Ghana (USSD access cannot be blocked by lack of airtime for financial services). However, if your phone is on airplane mode or out of coverage, USSD will not work. Bank apps require data or Wi-Fi.

Are there discounts for bulk top-ups?
No. ECG prepaid tariff is fixed per kWh regardless of top-up amount. Whether you buy GHS 10 or GHS 5,000 (April 2026), the per-unit price is GHS 1.9869 (April 2026). The only variation is transaction fees (which are percentage-based for mobile money, flat or free for other channels). Some vendors offer “promotions” that claim extra units for bulk purchases. These are scams or markup schemes (they charge you above face value, then claim the markup is a bonus). Only buy from ECG official channels or licensed vendors displaying current ECG branding.

Related Reads

• Zoom out: Ghana Digital Services (Super Pillar)
• Topic hub: ECG, Ghana Water, and Utility Services (Pillar Hub)
• Related deep-dives:
• ECG Postpaid Bill Payment Online
• How to Read Your ECG Meter Correctly
• Understanding Your ECG Bill
• Reporting Power Outages to ECG

Closing

ECG prepaid has become the default electricity payment method for over 2 million Ghanaian households since the national rollout began in 2017. As more banks add zero-fee utility payments and mobile money networks improve token delivery speed, the friction in topping up continues to drop. The next frontier is real-time consumption tracking via mobile apps, which ECG piloted in 2024 and plans to expand nationwide by 2027. Until then, the system works: pay, receive token, load units, use power. Simple, transparent, and Ghana-led.

Follow our updates on X at @jbklutsemedia.

Sources

• Electricity Company of Ghana (Official Site) (tariff data, payment channels, April 2026)
• Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (tariff approvals, lifeline policy, Q1 2026)
• ECG Prepaid Portal (online vending interface, tested April 2026)
• MTN Ghana MoMo tariff schedule (accessed via *170# menu, April 20, 2026)
• Telecel Ghana SuperApp (version 4.2.1, tested April 18, 2026)
• Absa Ghana Mobile Banking (ECG payment flow verified April 19, 2026)
• ECG Prepaid Customer Support (phone interview, 0302 611 611, April 22, 2026)