How to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide (2025)
Ever found yourself with a full M-Pesa wallet but an empty Airtel line? It’s a common situation in Kenya. You need to make a call, send an SMS, or buy data on your Airtel line, but your money is on your Safaricom M-Pesa.
Don’t worry! While there isn’t a direct USSD code to do this, there is a simple, official, and quick method using M-Pesa’s Paybill service.
This guide will walk you through the exact steps to buy Airtel airtime for your own number or for someone else’s, directly from your M-Pesa account.
The Official Method: Using the Airtel Paybill Number
The most reliable way to top up an Airtel line from M-Pesa is by using the official Airtel Paybill business number. It’s a straightforward process that sends the credit to the Airtel number almost instantly.
Here’s exactly what you need to do:
Step-by-Step Guide to Buy Airtime for Your Number
Open your M-Pesa Menu: Go to your phone’s Sim Toolkit and select the M-Pesa menu. (Alternatively, you can use the M-Pesa App).
Select “Lipa na M-Pesa”: This is the option for making payments.
Choose “Pay Bill”: Don’t select “Buy Goods and Services.” You need the Pay Bill option.
Enter Business Number: When prompted, enter the official Airtel Paybill number: 220220.
Pro-Tip: Save this number in your contacts as “Airtel Top-up” so you never have to search for it again!
Enter Account Number: This is the most important step. The account number is the Airtel phone number you want to top up. For example: 0733123456. Double-check to ensure it’s correct.
Enter the Amount: Type the amount of airtime you wish to buy (e.g., 50, 100, 500).
Enter your M-Pesa PIN: Enter your secret M-Pesa PIN and press “OK.”
Confirm the Transaction: M-Pesa will show you a summary of the transaction (Paybill number, Account number, Amount). Review it carefully and confirm it’s correct.
You will receive a confirmation SMS from M-Pesa almost immediately, and the Airtel line will be credited with the airtime shortly after.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Airtel Paybill number to buy airtime from M-Pesa?
The official Airtel Paybill number is 220220.
2. Are there any transaction costs?
Yes, standard M-Pesa Paybill transaction charges will apply depending on the amount you are sending.
3. How long does it take for the airtime to reflect?
In most cases, it is instant—within a minute. However, it can occasionally take up to 10 minutes during network peak times.
4. Can I buy Airtel data bundles directly from M-Pesa?
No, you cannot buy data bundles directly. You first need to buy Airtel airtime using the method above. Once the airtime is on the Airtel line, you can then dial *544# from the Airtel line to purchase your preferred data bundle.
5. Is there a minimum or maximum amount of airtime I can buy?
Yes, the transaction is limited by M-Pesa’s rules. You can typically buy as little as Ksh 10 worth of airtime, up to M-Pesa’s per-transaction limit.
Conclusion
Topping up your Airtel line from M-Pesa is incredibly simple once you know the Paybill number 220220. Whether for your own phone or for someone else, this method is fast, secure, and reliable.
Bookmark this page or save the Paybill number, and you’ll never be stuck without Airtel credit again