How to Buy Airtel Airtime from MPESA

How to Buy Airtel Airtime from MPESA in 2023

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Safaricom MPESA has the mobile money market share. Airtel is known for cheap airtime and bundles.

Enjoy both worlds by learning how to buy Airtel credit through MPESA.

How to Buy Airtel Airtime from MPESA

This is a step by step guide on buying Airtel airtime from M-PESA (with screenshots for each step!)

Total Time: 5 minutes

  1. Go to M-PESA Menu

    Open the M-PESA menu via SIM tool kit

    First, access your MPESA menu via SIM tool kit or via MPESA App so as to buy airtime.

  2. Select Lipa na MPESA option

    Select Lipa na MPESA option

    Then, select Lipa na M-PESA option on your mobile phone.

  3. Select Paybill option

    Select the Pay Bill option

    Next, select the Pay Bill option.

  4. Enter business no.

    Enter business no.

    Next, tap on Enter business number

  5. Enter the Airtel PayBill Number (220220)

    Enter the Airtel PayBill Number (220220) to buy Airtel Airtime via PesaPal

    Next, enter Airtel pay bill number 220220 as the business number so as to buy Airtel credit via PesaPal.

    See the table below for alternative pay bills that you can use to buy Airtel airtime from M-PESA.

  6. Enter the Airtel Number

    For the account number reference, enter AIRTXXXXXX (where XXXXXX is your Airtel Mobile number)

    Next, enter the Airtel line you would like to buy airtime from M-PESA.

    The Airtel mobile number is the account number to use for airtime purchases.

    Therefore, for the account number reference, enter AIRTXXXXXX (where XXXXXX is your Airtel Mobile number starting with the 07 or relevant Airtel Kenya prefix).

  7. Enter the amount to buy airtime

    Enter the amount to buy Airtel airtime from MPESA

    Enter the amount to purchase Airtel airtime from M-PESA.

  8. Enter your M-PESA PIN

    Enter your M-PESA PIN

    Enter your M-PESA pin and then tap on the OK button.

  9. Complete to purchase Airtel Kenya airtime

    Complete to purchase Airtel Kenya airtime

    A confirmation message will be sent to your Safaricom mobile number as well as to your Airtel mobile number.

    The CHAPCHAP message confirms that you have successfully topped up your Airtel line.
    Do note, M-Pesa charges are applicable for buying Airtel airtime via the method above. It uses PesaPal, one of the popular payment services in Kenya.

    The table below has other payment services for your consideration.

MPESA Charges for Withdrawals & Deposits

Learn about the New MPESA charges for sending or receiving money via phone, ATM or MPESA agent.

The guide includes a curated list of transactions that are FREE via MPESA!

List of Airtel Paybill Numbers

Airtel Airtime VendorAirtel PayBill NumberUSSD code
Pesapal220220N/A
JazaLink309028N/A
My Airtime256356*4838#
TinggN/A*369# 
CredoN/A*264#
KopaN/A*310#
List of Airtel Paybill Numbers

The process described earlier for buying Airtel airtime from MPESA works with any of the pay bills in the table above.

All you have to do, is change the pay bill number to one of the other payment services above.

Tips when Buying Airtime for your Airtel Mobile Number

  • Test the pay bill number with a small amount! That way you can identify the one that works best for you!
  • Your Safaricom line should have enough funds to buy Airtel credit as well as for the applicable charges.
  • Make sure your Safaricom mobile number and your Airtel mobile number are both registered as required by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
How to register a Safaricom line

Learn how to register your Safaricom line online.

Protect your line from being blocked!

Read it here

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Airtel Paybill number?

The Airtel Paybill number is 220220. You can use the paybill number to buy Airtel credit through MPESA.

How do I check Airtel airtime balance in Kenya?

Dial the USSD code *133# from your mobile phone. A screen will pop up with your current Airtel Kenya airtime balance.

How do I check my Airtel Kenya Data Bundles?

Dial the USSD code *544# to access the data bundles menu. Then, select Check Data balance. option.

You will receive a message showing your Airtel Kenya data bundles and their expiry date.

How to Buy Airtime from Airtel Money?

  1. Dial the USSD code *222# to access Airtel services.
  2. Next on the Airtel Money menu, select Buy Airtime.
  3. Enter your Airtel Money PIN.
  4. You can now buy airtime for your Airtel mobile number or another Airtel number.

Helpful Kenya Guides

Here are other free Kenya specific guides in this blog:

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