Update: How to Buy Airtel Airtime From Mpesa via Paybill

One of the ways we looked at last year was the use of USSD

JUSTUS KIPRONOOct 1, 20251 Mins read10.2k

But the code has been temporarily suspended. (Photo: Web)

If you are an Airtel subscriber, you’ll agree with me that ‘technology has done more good than harm’ and topping up your line via Mpesa is one of the most reliable and convenient ways ever invented to do away with scratchcards.

In that spirit of convenience, at BT, we’ve almost always been keeping our readers updated on how they can actually top up their Airtel SIM cards with ease.

One of the ways we looked at last year was the use of USSD *384*3#, which, according to InstaLipa that runs the service, the code has been suspended temporarily, due to technical and market issues best known to the mobile payments solutions firm.

For that, we are providing an update to our readers, who may or might come across that article and remain stranded. They shouldn’t.

Buying Airtel Airtime via M-Pesa

To buy Airtel airtime using Mpesa, go to your Mpesa menu, select Lipa na M-Pesa, then Pay Bill, and enter the business number 921000, your Airtel number as the Account Number, the desired amount, and your Mpesa PIN.

A step-by-step guide:

1. Go to the Mpesa Menu: On your phone, select the Mpesa option.
2. Select Lipa na Mpesa: Choose “Lipa na M-Pesa” from the menu.
3. Select Pay Bill: Select the “Pay Bill” option.
4. Enter Business Number: Enter the business number 921 000.
5. Enter Account Number: Enter your Airtel phone number as the account number.
6. Enter Amount: Enter the amount of airtime you wish to purchase.
7. Enter PIN: Enter your Mpesa PIN to authorize the transaction.
8. Send: Press send to complete the transaction.

The airtime should reflect on your Airtel account almost immediately.

Important Notes

Recipient’s Number: You can use this method to buy airtime for yourself or for another Airtel number by entering their number in the Account Number field.
No Reversals: Confirm the Airtel number carefully before completing the transaction, as transactions cannot be reversed.
Transaction Limits: Mpesa has transaction limits. If you need to buy airtime for larger amounts, you may need to make multiple transactions.

Read: Safaricom and Airtel Win Case on Skiza Tune Royalties Payments

Written by

JUSTUS KIPRONO

Justus Kiprono is a freelance journalist based in Nairobi, Kenya. He tracks Capital Markets and economic trends, infrastructure reform, government spending, and the financial impacts of state decision-making nationwide. You can reach him: [email protected]