How to buy Airtel and Telkom credit from Mpesa

How to Buy Airtel Airtime from MPesa

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Tingg has unveiled a USSD code that enables MPesa and Airtel Money users to buy airtime for Airtel and other networks in Kenya without any charges. Before the USSD code, you could only rely on other third-party paybill numbers to purchase credit for Airtel and other telcos. However, these third parties charge a small fee, deducted from your MPesa account, to send airtime to other numbers.

In this article, I will show you how to simply buy airtime credit for any number free of charge using the new Safaricom’s USSD *487*2#. I will also show you how to buy airtime through third-party paybill numbers.

If you have registered for the Safaricom Fuliza service, you can even buy airtime credit for Airtel, Telkom and JTL, using Fuliza.

Buying Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa Using USSD *487*2#

  1. Dial *487*2# from your M-Pesa enabled line
  2. To buy airtime for Airtel or another number, select the option Enter a Number
  3. Select the destination network as Airtel
  4. Next, enter a valid mobile number
  5. enter amount
  6. Select the option Pay with Mpesa
  7. enter Mpesa PIN and Send to complete the transaction
  8. After a short while, confirmation messages will be sent to the Airtel number and your number

How to Buy Airtel Airtime through M-Pesa Paybill Number

Send Money from Equitel to Mpesa/ Airtel Money Charges, buy airtime

First, you will have to pick a paybill number from one of the following business numbers:

  • Pesapal: 220220
  • Tupay :737373
  • Onfon: 710101
  • Milton Sons: 665511
  • MyAirtime Kenya: 215215
  • Jovan communication: 833030
  • Okazika: 156215

Next, follow these simple steps to buy Airtel airtime from M-Pesa paybill option:

  1. Go to the MPesa Menu
  2. Select Lipa na Mpesa
  3. Select Pay Bill
  4. Enter a Business Number from the list above, e.g. 220220
  5. Enter the mobile number you wish to send to, as Account Number
  6. Enter the airtime credit amount you wish to buy and press OK
  7. Key in your Mpesa PIN and Send
  8. Confirmation messages will be send to you and the other line, for succesful airtime purchase
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Normal Lipa na M-Pesa charges will apply for transactions above 100 Kenya shillings. MPesa does not charge you to transact money below Ksh. 100. However the third party paybill services will charge you a fee to buy airtime through their business numbers.

It is also worth noting that these paybill numbers will work from on other mobile money networks, thanks to the mobile interoperability in Kenya.

Read also:

  1. Pay KPLC Postpaid Electricity Bill by Mpesa, Airtel or Equitel
  2. USSD Codes for Mobile Loans Apps in Kenya
  3. How to Get Lipa na Mpesa Till Number Online and Activate Using USSD
  4. Equity Bank Agency and Equitel Money Transfer Rates