MTN Customer Care Numbers: How to Reach the Right Line Fast

MTN Group serves over 290 million subscribers across 19 markets (2024), and customer care numbers differ by country. Reaching the right line quickly saves time and money—especially when you’re roaming or calling from another network. Below you’ll find the verified, most-used MTN care numbers for major markets, practical dialing formats, service hours, and what to prepare before you call to get issues resolved on the first pass.

The guidance below focuses on three of MTN’s largest operations—South Africa, Nigeria, and Ghana—followed by tips to find the correct number for other MTN countries. Where possible, both short codes (from an MTN line) and long numbers (from other networks or when abroad) are included, plus official websites to double-check live updates.

Quick reference: primary MTN customer care numbers

Use the short code when calling from an MTN SIM in-country (usually free). Use the geographic or international format if you’re on another network or abroad (standard charges or roaming rates apply). Customer care IVRs are generally available 24/7; live agent hours may vary by queue.

• South Africa: 135 (from MTN lines, free); 083 135 (from other SA networks); +27 83 135 (from abroad). Website: mtn.co.za
• Nigeria: 300 (harmonized customer care short code introduced in 2023); legacy lines: 180 (from MTN), 0803 100 0180 (from other networks), +234 803 100 0180 (from abroad). Website: mtn.ng
• Ghana: 100 (from MTN lines); 024 430 0000 (from other networks); +233 24 430 0000 (from abroad). Website: mtn.com.gh

Calls to short codes like 135, 300, or 100 are typically free on MTN lines within the same country. Calls from other networks, landlines, or from abroad are billed at the originating service’s standard or international/roaming rates. If you’re on Wi‑Fi, consider using official apps or web chat to avoid voice charges while traveling.

South Africa — calling MTN customer care

From any MTN South Africa line, dial 135 (free) for the main customer care IVR. From other South African networks, dial 083 135. If you’re outside South Africa, dial in the international format +27 83 135. The IVR runs 24/7 for account, bundles, and SIM support; access to a live agent depends on queue load and the time of day.

For quick self-service, use USSD code *136# to check balances, buy bundles, or manage services without calling. You can also use the MTN app (listed under “MTN South Africa” in app stores) and the store locator on mtn.co.za/store-locator to find in‑person help. Keep your MTN number and a secondary contact number handy to speed up identity verification.

When calling from abroad, using +27 83 135 ensures you connect even if the short code 135 is not recognized by your visited network. Roaming charges apply per your roaming plan; where possible, use the app or web chat on mtn.co.za via Wi‑Fi to avoid international calling costs.

Nigeria — harmonized short code and legacy lines

Since 2023, Nigeria’s regulator (NCC) harmonized key short codes across networks. For MTN Nigeria, dial 300 for customer care from an MTN line. This code routes you to the standard MTN care IVR and is designed to be the single, cross-network customer care short code nationwide.

Legacy lines remain widely used: 180 (from MTN) and 0803 100 0180 (from other networks). If you’re outside Nigeria, dial +234 803 100 0180. These routes are generally available 24/7 for prepaid, postpaid, data, and SIM reactivation requests. Standard tariffs apply when dialing 0803 numbers from non‑MTN lines and when calling the +234 line from abroad.

For self-service, install the myMTN NG app or use current harmonized USSD codes such as 310 (balance check) and 312 (data plans), as directed by NCC in 2023. For SIM-NIN updates and KYC, follow guidance on mtn.ng to avoid queuing on voice lines. If you opened a ticket, note the reference ID; if an issue persists beyond the stated resolution window, call back via 300 or 180 and quote that ID for escalation.

Ghana — getting help for mobile and MoMo

From an MTN Ghana line, dial 100 for customer care. From other networks within Ghana, call 024 430 0000. If you’re abroad, use +233 24 430 0000. The IVR supports English and local language options and runs 24/7; agent availability can vary by queue and time.

For Mobile Money (MoMo) queries, note that 100 routes you to options for wallet, PIN reset, and dispute assistance. For day‑to‑day MoMo and account actions, *170# remains the primary USSD in Ghana, and the myMTN app and MoMo app (see mtn.com.gh) provide additional self‑service without voice charges. Always keep transaction IDs and timestamps ready before calling.

Retail support is available at MTN Service Centers nationwide; use the store finder on mtn.com.gh to locate the nearest branch and confirm working hours. Bring a valid Ghana Card (or passport for foreigners), your MTN SIM, and any purchase receipts to speed up in‑person assistance.

Finding the right MTN care number for other countries

If you’re in an MTN market not listed above (e.g., Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin), the fastest way to confirm the current customer care number is your local MTN country website. Start from the group site mtn.com and navigate to “Our markets” to select your country, or search “MTN [country] customer care number” and verify the result on an official mtn.[ccTLD] domain.

The SIM pack and the “SIM Toolkit”/“MTN Services” menu on your phone often list the correct short code. Many MTN markets also print the care short code on monthly statements or in the myMTN app help section. Keep in mind that codes can change due to regulatory harmonization, so double-check if a number you’ve used for years suddenly stops working.

Where multiple lines are advertised (a short code and a geographic number), the short code is typically free from an MTN line in-country, while the geographic or international number is intended for other networks or roaming customers and may be billed at standard rates.

What to prepare before you call (to cut resolution time)

Having the right details ready can reduce back-and-forth and shorten resolution by days. MTN agents must verify your identity for security and regulatory compliance, so be prepared with identifiers and evidence relevant to your request.

• Your MTN phone number(s) and any alternate contact number
• SIM details: ICCID (last 6–8 digits on the SIM card) and PUK (from SIM pack or app)
• Government ID for KYC: South Africa ID/passport, Nigeria NIN, Ghana Card, or equivalent
• Device identifiers when reporting network/device issues: IMEI (dial *#06#) and model
• Transaction references and timestamps for billing, bundle, or MoMo disputes
• Location specifics for coverage complaints: suburb/area name, nearest landmark, and times observed
• Proof of purchase or receipt numbers for device/SIM swaps, and prior case/ticket IDs if any
• Screenshots of error messages or SMS confirmations where applicable

For corporate/enterprise accounts, have your company account number, cost center, and authorization contact ready; many markets require a named administrator’s consent before changes to corporate lines can be processed.

Costs, roaming, and the best way to call from abroad

In most MTN markets, calls to the official short code (e.g., 135, 300, 100) from an MTN SIM are free. Calls from other networks or to international-format numbers (e.g., +27 83 135, +234 803 100 0180, +233 24 430 0000) are billed per the originating carrier’s rates. While roaming, your visited network’s rates apply—these can be significantly higher than domestic tariffs.

To avoid voice charges when abroad, use the myMTN app (country-specific) or online help via your country site (mtn.co.za, mtn.ng, mtn.com.gh). If Wi‑Fi calling is enabled on your device and plan, dialing the local short code from your MTN SIM may still be free, but this behavior varies by market and roaming agreement—verify in your plan’s terms.

If you cannot make outbound calls, ask for a callback via the app or web form where available. Keep your phone reachable and note time zone differences to avoid missed callback attempts.

Escalations, records, and in‑person assistance

Always request and note the case or ticket ID provided by the agent. For most billing adjustments and provisioning issues, resolution targets are commonly within 24–72 hours; network coverage investigations can take longer due to field checks. If the stated SLA passes without an update, call back with the ticket ID for escalation, or use the app/web chat to add notes.

If you’ve exhausted MTN’s internal escalation path, regulatory bodies exist for consumer support: ICASA (South Africa), NCC (Nigeria), and NCA (Ghana). Use them only after you’ve tried to resolve the issue directly with MTN and have your ticket history ready. Regulator websites are easily found via their acronyms plus country name, and they publish clear complaint procedures.

For walk‑in help, use the official store locators. Notable addresses often referenced include: MTN Nigeria — MTN Plaza, Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos; MTN Ghana — MTN House, Independence Avenue, West Ridge, Accra; MTN Group (corporate campus, not a retail store) — 216 14th Avenue, Fairland, Johannesburg 2195, South Africa. Always check the store locator on your country’s site for current hours and the nearest service center.