2026 Smart Recharge Guide

In 2026, the cost of staying connected has shifted. With the implementation of the 7.5% VAT on banking services and the ₦50 Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), the "convenient" way of recharging has become the "expensive" way.

Every time you dial your bank’s USSD code (e.g., *737# or *894#), you are paying:

USSD Session Fee: ~ ₦6.98

VAT on Fee: 7.5%

Hidden Margin: Banks often sell data at a higher retail price than the network.

This guide is designed to help you keep that money in your pocket.