So, you’re an Airtel user in Kenya and you’ve run out of airtime, but you don’t have enough funds in your Airtel Money wallet. While you can’t buy Airtel airtime directly from M-Pesa, there’s a direct way to top up your Airtel account. By transferring money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money, you can buy airtime without using third-party apps.
In this guide we’ll show you how to transfer money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money and then use Airtel Money to buy airtime.
Why Use Airtel Money to Buy Airtime from M-Pesa?
You can’t buy Airtel airtime directly from M-Pesa but transferring funds to Airtel Money and using it to buy airtime has several advantages:
No third-party apps needed: You don’t need any third-party apps or services.
Instant transactions: Transfers from M-Pesa to Airtel Money are real-time so you can top up your phone instantly.
Secure and convenient: Airtel Money is a secure and reliable way to manage your airtime and money.
Step-by-Step: How to Transfer Money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money
Here’s how to send money from your M-Pesa account to Airtel Money.
Step 1: Ensure You Have Both M-Pesa and Airtel Money Accounts
Before you transfer funds make sure you have:
M-Pesa account linked to your Safaricom phone number.
Airtel Money account linked to your Airtel phone number.
If you don’t have Airtel Money, you can set it up by dialing *222# and follow the prompts.
Step 2: Transfer Funds from M-Pesa to Airtel Money
To send money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money follow these steps:
*Dial 334# on your M-Pesa enabled phone.
Select “Send Money” from the M-Pesa menu.
Select “Send Money to Other Networks” to send money to Airtel Money.
Enter Airtel Money number: This is the phone number linked to the recipient’s Airtel Money account.
Enter the amount you want to send to Airtel Money.
Enter your M-Pesa PIN to confirm the transaction.
Confirm the transaction: Review the details and confirm the transfer.
Once the transfer is done the recipient will receive the funds in their Airtel Money wallet and you will get a confirmation message from M-Pesa.
Pro Tip: Always double-check the Airtel Money number before sending the funds to avoid mistakes.
Step 3: Buy Airtel Airtime Using Airtel Money
Now that the money is in your Airtel Money wallet you can use it to buy airtime. Here’s how:
Open Airtel Money on your phone.
Select “Buy Airtime” from the Airtel Money menu.
Choose the amount of airtime you want to buy (e.g. Ksh 100, Ksh 200).
Confirm the purchase by entering your Airtel Money PIN.
You’ll get an instant confirmation, and the airtime will be credited to your Airtel number.
Tip: If you want to buy airtime for someone else, just enter their Airtel number during the purchase process.
Benefits of This Direct Method Compared to Third-Party Services
Third-party solutions we see all over the internet such as Pesapal offer similar services, but here are a few advantages of using M-Pesa and Airtel Money directly:
1. No Extra Fees
Unlike third-party apps which may charge extra transaction fees or require additional wallet setups, this method has no hidden costs. You only pay for the airtime you buy.
2. Instant Transactions
M-Pesa to Airtel Money transfers are almost instant, so you can top up your phone in no time. Third-party services can sometimes cause delays.
3. Increased Security
Using official channels like M-Pesa and Airtel Money minimizes the risk of fraud compared to third-party apps that might not offer the same level of security.
4. No Dependency on External Services
Third-party services are sometimes unreliable — their systems might be down or they could experience issues with processing payments. By using Airtel Money directly, you’re cutting out the middleman and eliminating any risk of delays.
Other Ways to Buy Airtel Airtime (Third-Party Services)
If you want to try other methods, we've looked at some of the few popular alternatives to buy Airtel airtime from M-Pesa:
1. Using Paybill Numbers via Lipa na M-Pesa
You can still use Paybill numbers offered mostly by third-party who get some form of interest or fee for every transaction made to buy Airtel airtime via M-Pesa’s “Lipa na M-Pesa” feature. But this is a more indirect process than using Airtel Money directly.
2. Third-Party Apps (Pesapal etc.)
Some third-party apps allow you to buy airtime for multiple networks, including Airtel, directly from M-Pesa. But remember, these apps may charge extra fees or require you to create an account.
3. Mobile Banking Apps
Banks like Equity, KCB, and Co-operative Bank also allow airtime top-ups through their mobile banking apps. But these are limited and may charge extra service fees.
Conclusion: The Fastest Way to Buy Airtel Airtime
You can’t buy Airtel airtime directly from M-Pesa, but transferring funds to Airtel Money and using it to buy airtime is fast, secure and cost-effective. And it eliminates third-party services, so it’s the simplest way.
Follow these steps and you can send money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money and buy airtime in a few minutes — no hassle, no extra costs.