Municipal & utilities
How to Buy Prepaid Electricity Online in South Africa
A plain-English, independent guide to recharging your prepaid meter online using your meter number, banking apps, retailers and official Eskom or municipal channels.
Quick answer
Find your meter number (on the meter or your statement, usually 11 or 20 digits), confirm whether Eskom or your municipality supplies you, then recharge through a trusted channel: your banking app, an authorised online vendor, or the official utility. You receive a 20-digit token to key into the meter. Keep proof of every purchase.
Key points
- You buy prepaid electricity with your meter number, not your account number; it is usually 11 or 20 digits.
- Confirm first whether Eskom or your municipality supplies your property, because the buying channel differs.
- Banking apps, authorised online vendors and the official utility's own app or website are the safest routes.
- A purchase returns a 20-digit token that you key into the meter; tokens are tied to that specific meter.
- Prices are set by the utility and the regulator, not the vendor, so a trusted reseller should not cost more.
- A share of each purchase may go toward any municipal arrears, so your units can be less than expected.
Step by step
Prepaid electricity in South Africa, briefly
Prepaid meters let you pay before you use power: you buy a token, key it into the meter, and it credits units of electricity. This is an independent consumer guide, not an Eskom or municipal service, and it is not legal or financial advice. Exact steps, fees and tariffs vary by supplier and change over time, so always confirm the current detail with your own municipality or Eskom before you rely on it.
First work out who supplies you
South Africa has two main types of electricity supplier for prepaid households: Eskom, which serves many townships, informal settlements and rural areas directly, and your local municipality or metro, which supplies most urban properties. The channel you use to buy, and who you call when something goes wrong, depends on which one serves your meter. A quick way to tell is to look at a recent token slip or statement, which usually names the supplier. If you are not sure, ask your municipality or Eskom and keep a note of the answer.
Finding your meter number
Every online purchase needs your meter number. It is normally printed on a sticker on the face of the meter or inside the flap, and it sometimes appears on your municipal statement. As of 2026 these numbers are commonly 11 or 20 digits, though you should confirm against your own meter. Crucially, it is not the same as your municipal account number, your street address, or any reference printed on an old receipt. A mistyped meter number is the single most common reason a token will not load, so copy it carefully.
Choosing a safe channel
There are several legitimate ways to recharge online. Most of the big banks let you buy electricity inside their banking app or through internet banking, sending the token to a cellphone by SMS. Authorised online vendors and point-of-sale networks also sell tokens, and some metros list approved vendors on their own websites. For Eskom-supplied meters, Eskom’s official app and website are the channels to check first. Whichever you choose, start from an app or website you opened yourself, rather than a link someone sent you.
| Channel | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Your bank’s app or online banking | Quick, familiar, token by SMS | Keep your registered cell number up to date |
| Authorised online vendor | Works across many municipalities and Eskom | Use only well-known, reputable vendors |
| Official utility app or website | Direct Eskom or metro purchases | Portals can be slow or briefly offline |
Why your units may look low
Many municipalities recover arrears through prepaid purchases, meaning a set percentage of what you pay goes to your outstanding balance rather than to units. Stepped tariffs also mean the more you buy in a month, the more later units can cost. Your slip should show any split between units and debt; if the deduction looks wrong, query it with your municipality rather than assuming you were short-changed.
If something goes wrong
If a token rejects, re-enter it slowly, confirm it was bought for the correct meter, and keep the slip. Persistent rejections can mean your meter needs a key-change or recode, which your supplier handles. For billing or debt-deduction questions, contact your municipality’s customer line or walk-in centre, or Eskom for Eskom meters. Keep records of every purchase and every call, including dates and reference numbers, in case you need to follow up.
⚠ Stay safe
Scam watch: ignore SMS or WhatsApp messages offering cheap prepaid tokens, 'discounted units' or 'free electricity', and never buy from a link you did not seek out. Real tokens cost the regulated tariff. Scammers also sell fake or 'illegal' tokens that can damage your meter or get you disconnected. Buy only through your bank's app, an authorised vendor, or the official Eskom or municipal channel, and never share your banking login, card PIN or OTP.
Frequently asked questions
Is buying online more expensive than at a shop?
Why did I receive fewer units than I expected?
What is the difference between my meter number and account number?
Can I buy electricity for someone else's meter?
My token will not load on the meter. What now?
Is it safe to use a third-party website or WhatsApp line?
Official sources
CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.