Here In Kenya, mobile money services such as M-Pesa and Airtel Money have revolutionized how people handle their finances, regarding cash transfers, bill payments, and purchasing goods and services. As different mobile money platforms start to become more interoperable, there has been a growing need to transfer funds between M-Pesa and Airtel Money for many users. While the process is simple, understanding the various steps involved will make the transaction really smooth. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through how to send money efficiently and safely from M-Pesa to Airtel Money.
Ensure You Have Enough Balance on Your M-Pesa Account
Ensure that the balance on your M-Pesa can cover the amount you want to transfer and the transaction fee, should one apply. To see your M-Pesa balance, you can follow these steps:
- In the M-Pesa menu on your mobile phone, select 'My Account' and then click on 'Check Balance.'
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN and wait for an SMS displaying your balance details.
- Having adequate funds will ensure that the transaction occurs without any hitches.
Access M-Pesa Menu
- To start making the money transfer from M-Pesa to Airtel Money, you can easily follow these steps:
- Go to your mobile phone menu and look for the icon or application representing M-Pesa.
- Under the M-Pesa options, click 'Lipa na M-Pesa'. This is used whenever one wants to pay for something; this very step can also be used to send cash to other mobile money platforms, such as Airtel Money.
With the advancement of mobile money interoperability in Kenya, transferring money between different mobile wallets has become more convenient. You can now easily send money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money without requiring a withdrawal code, ensuring a seamless transfer process.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Step 1: Access the M-Pesa Menu
- *Dial 334# on your phone.
- Select the “Send Money” option.
- Step 2: Choose the Network
- Choose “Send to other Network.”
- Step 3: Enter Airtel Number and Amount
- Enter the recipient's Airtel Money number.
- Enter the amount you want to transfer.
- Step 4: Confirm the Transaction
- Input your M-Pesa PIN to authorize the transaction.
- Review the transaction details and confirm.
Benefits of the New Process
Previously, sending money to an Airtel customer required the recipient to withdraw the funds at an agent within 7 days, which was inconvenient and costly. Now, the interoperability between networks allows for real-time transfers directly to Airtel Money wallets, making the process faster, more flexible, and cost-effective.M-Pesa Transaction Limits
- Maximum daily transaction value: KES 500,000
- Maximum account balance: KES 500,000
- Maximum amount per transaction: KES 250,000
M-Pesa Transaction Charges
|
Transaction Range (KES) |
Transfer to M-Pesa Users |
Transfer to Other Networks |
Withdrawal from M-Pesa Agent |
|
1 - 49 |
Free |
Free |
N/A |
|
50 - 100 |
Free |
Free |
11 |
|
101 - 500 |
7 |
7 |
29 |
|
501 - 1,000 |
13 |
13 |
29 |
|
1,001 - 1,500 |
23 |
23 |
29 |
|
1,501 - 2,500 |
33 |
33 |
29 |
|
2,501 - 3,500 |
53 |
53 |
52 |
|
3,501 - 5,000 |
57 |
57 |
69 |
|
5,001 - 7,500 |
78 |
78 |
87 |
|
7,501 - 10,000 |
90 |
90 |
115 |
|
10,001 - 15,000 |
100 |
100 |
167 |
|
15,001 - 20,000 |
105 |
105 |
185 |
|
20,001 - 35,000 |
108 |
108 |
197 |
|
35,001 - 50,000 |
108 |
108 |
278 |
|
50,001 - 250,000 |
108 |
108 |
309 |
Transferring Money from Airtel Money to M-Pesa
The process is similarly straightforward and can be done using the Airtel Money menu:- Dial *334# on your Airtel line.
- Select “Send Money” and then “Send Money to Any Network.”
- Enter the Safaricom number and confirm.
- Enter the amount and your PIN to complete the transaction.
Airtel Money Transaction Limits
- Maximum daily transaction value: KES 500,000
- Maximum account balance: KES 500,000
- Maximum amount per transaction: KES 250,000
Airtel Money Transaction Charges
|
Transaction Range (KES) |
Airtel to Airtel Charges |
Transfer to Other Networks |
Withdrawal Charges |
|
1 - 49 |
Free |
Free |
Free |
|
50 - 100 |
Free |
Free |
10 |
|
101 - 500 |
Free |
6 |
25 |
|
501 - 1,000 |
Free |
11 |
25 |
|
1,001 - 1,500 |
Free |
20 |
25 |
|
1,501 - 2,500 |
Free |
30 |
25 |
|
2,501 - 3,500 |
Free |
50 |
44 |
|
3,501 - 5,000 |
Free |
50 |
55 |
|
5,001 - 7,500 |
Free |
70 |
70 |
|
7,501 - 10,000 |
Free |
80 |
95 |
|
10,001 - 15,000 |
Free |
90 |
135 |
|
15,001 - 20,000 |
Free |
95 |
150 |
|
20,001 - 25,000 |
Free |
95 |
160 |
|
25,001 - 35,000 |
Free |
100 |
160 |
|
35,001 - 40,000 |
Free |
105 |
240 |
|
40,001 - 45,000 |
Free |
105 |
260 |
|
45,001 - 50,000 |
Free |
105 |
270 |
|
50,001 - 250,000 |
Free |
105 |
300 |
Conclusion: How to Simplify Mobile Money Transfers in Kenya
The process of transferring money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money involves very simple and direct steps, indicating increased interoperability in the mobile money ecosystem of Kenya. With mobile money continuing to play an integral role in everyday Kenyan life, learning how to maneuver such platforms effectively becomes quite important. By following these steps, you will have ensured that your transactions are secure, efficient, and complication-free, making the experience of mobile money seamless and easy.