The microfinance industry in Nigeria is booming and increasingly becoming more used by people that do not have the time to be visiting local banks. Just like me, if you ask many people about when last they visited a local bank to deposit or make a transaction, they would surely tell you they can’t remember the year.
This flexibility is all thanks to the evolving microfinance industry and thanks to the whale investors that believe in microfinance as a representative for local banks in some major aspects that are very necessary for the users.
Since the increase in users of microfinance banks, there have been fewer complaints because the microfinance banks are increasing their security and operations and branches day by day.
One of the top leading microfinance banks in Nigeria is Links MFB. This microfinance bank has been around for a while and has been supporting hundreds of thousands of Nigerians, and their mobile application, Sofri, currently has over 100,000 downloads
Learn More About Links Microfinance (and Sofri)
In 2022 the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gave final permission to DLM Capital’s acquisition of Links Microfinance Bank. This certification secured the Group’s long-awaited entry into the launch of digital banking, and since then, Links Microfinance Bank has been a licensed CBN institution.
Later, after the launch of Links MFB, their digital banking app was launched, and it’s called Sofri (meaning “so free,” a marketing name for stress-free banking).
The Sofri app focuses on urban, mobile-friendly users, and in 2025, the Sofri app powered by Links Microfinance Bank launched a major transformation drive aimed at reshaping access to credit and empowering Nigerian businesses.
What Links Microfinance Bank (and Sofri App) Offers
- Bank Transfers – send and receive money instantly across Nigerian banks.
- Loans – access quick personal loans and SME/business credit facilities.
- Savings Accounts – flexible savings options with interest benefits.
- Current Accounts – everyday accounts for individuals and small businesses.
- Bill Payments – pay electricity, TV, internet, and other utilities.
- Airtime & Data Top-Up – recharge directly from your account.
- Debit Cards – get and manage ATM/Verve cards.
- USSD Banking (*723*2222#) – check balance, transfer funds, and pay bills without internet.
- Sofri Mobile App – Links MFB’s digital banking app that allows mobile-friendly users to manage accounts, request loans, save, and make payments on the go.
The USSD code complements the Sofri app by making services available offline.
Only existing account holders (via the Sofri app or branch) can use the USSD, no new accounts can be opened directly through USSD.
Links Microfinance USSD Code
- Official code: *723*2222#.
- Works only with the phone number linked to your account.
- For registered users, the menu appears instantly.
- For new users (first-time dialing), a registration step is required (enter account number + set PIN).
Step-by-Step: Registering for Links USSD (First-Time User)
- Dial *723*2222#.
- Select 1 = Register (or 2 = Cancel).
- Enter your Links/Sofri account number (must already exist; random numbers will fail with “Account not found”).
- Set up a USSD PIN for security.
- Registration confirmation will appear on screen and via SMS.
- After success, the full USSD menu (Transfers, Balance, Airtime, Bills, etc.) will show up.
Step-by-Step: Using USSD Links to Transfer Money
- Dial *723*2222# (from registered phone number).
- From the main menu, select Transfers.
- Choose destination: Links account / other banks.
- Enter recipient account number.
- Enter the transfer amount.
- Confirm with your USSD PIN.
- Wait for success confirmation (on screen + SMS).
Common Issues & Fixes
Account not found → This usually occurs in the second screen page after you have input a wrong Links account number, and it means you need to already have an account (via the Sofri app or a branch) to be able to use this.
• To fix this problem, all you have to do is to download the Sofri mobile app from the Apple/Google Play app store to set up an account, and you will be able to access the USSD code services using the account number generated for you from the app or the branch that you went to.
Banking services unavailable → This one is very common not just with the Links MFB USSD Code; many other microfinance banks’ USSD codes have this problem, and even some won’t even work during the weekend at all, and the simple solution to this is you just have to wait and retry after a few minutes (network downtime).
Wrong PIN → By using an incorrect PIN, you will be getting an error response that won’t allow you to perform the action you want to perform. If you forget your PIN, you will need to reset it via the app or branch.
Invalid code → Many people make this mistake by entering the wrong USSD code, which probably will return nothing or another app or network service, so you should check you’re dialing *723*2222# correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I open a new Links MFB account with USSD?
No, you can’t. The USSD code only works for people that already have an account, either through the Sofri app or by visiting a Links MFB branch.
2. What is the official Links Microfinance USSD code?
The official code is *723*2222#. It works with the phone number that is linked to your account.
3. Do I need internet to use the USSD code?
No, you don’t. The service works completely offline, unlike the Sofri mobile app that needs internet access.
4. What can I do with the Sofri app?
You can open an account, request loans, save money, pay bills, recharge airtime/data, and transfer funds all from your phone.
5. Why does it say “Account not found” when I try to register?
That happens if you type a wrong account number or if you don’t have a Links/Sofri account at all. The solution is to first create an account on the Sofri app or at a branch.
6. What should I do if I forget my USSD PIN?
You will need to reset it through the Sofri mobile app or by visiting a Links MFB branch.
7. Does the USSD work every day, including weekends?
Most times yes, but just like other microfinance USSD codes, it can have network downtime. If it fails, wait and retry later.
Conclusion
Links Microfinance Bank and their Sofri app have really made banking easy for people who don’t want the stress of visiting a local bank.
With the Sofri app, you can do everything online, and with the USSD code, you can still access the same services without internet. The combination of both makes Links MFB one of the leading microfinance banks in Nigeria today.
