Airtel is one of the three main mobile carriers in Kenya, alongside Safaricom and Telkom. As of 2025, Airtel Kenya commands over 24 million subscribers, holding roughly a 32.2% market share in the mobile market. It trails Safaricom, which leads with about 63.3% market share.
For a long time, Kenyans have relied on Airtel Money, a mobile money service launched by Airtel as a competitor to Safaricom’s M-Pesa. Airtel Money offers services such as sending money, making payments, withdrawing cash, and buying airtime. The service has recently been upgraded to provide faster, more reliable, and more innovative financial solutions, contributing to growing adoption among Kenyan users.
The Buy Airtime from Airtel Money service is limited to buying from the SMA Airtel network. While it’s a good option, many Airtel subscribers in Kenya have always resorted to buying Airtel money from M-Pesa. While the process is not simple, it is still achievable. Below, we have covered all the Methods that you should use.
How to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa for free
If you find yourself in a situation where you need to top up your Airtel number with Airtime, you will be glad to know that using M-Pesa is a quick option to consider. Here are several methods that you can use :
Method 1: Using M-Pesa Paybill Number 220220
M-Pesa by Safaricom was launched in 2007, and since then, it has become an instant hit in Kenya. This is why Kenya has migrated to Cashless transactions. Among the many features of M-Pesa is Lipa Na M-Pesa, which has allowed Kenyans to make payments to various businesses using their M-Pesa pay bill numbers.
When it comes to purchasing Airtel airtime, here is a simple process to follow:
- Open the M-Pesa App or the STK Menu on your Phone and access M-Pesa
- On the Menu, go to Lipa na M-Pesa and then navigate to the Paybill option
- In the next step, you must enter your Business Number. Use 220220.
- As for the account number Part, you must enter the Airtel number for which you wish to buy Airtime.
- Next, Enter your M-Pesa PIN and Submit
- If the Transaction has gone through, you will receive an M-Pesa confirmation Message from M-Pesa.
Method 2: Using PesaPal
Since its launch in 2009, Pesapal has been a fintech platform primarily focused on facilitating payment processes. What makes Pesapal unique in Kenya is that it has directly embedded all Mobile money services in Kenya, including Airtel and M-Pesa, enabling transactions on both platforms.
When it comes to buying Airtime, Pesapal has also become a quick alternative, but this time, you are using it directly from Airtel Money without heading to M-Pesa. Here is how:
- Open the STK mobile Money on your Phone and choose Airtel Money under Airtel
- Select Option 3, which is Make Payments
- On the provided window, choose Pay Bill and then go to the last option marked as Other
- Next, you are to enter a business name. Just type Pesapal and Press Ok
- Proceed to enter the Amount in KSh and input your Airtel Money.
- Next, you must enter the reference number in the following format: AIRP0712345678. What comes after AIRP is your phone number.
Method 2: Using *384*3# USSD
This last method involves using the *384*3# provided by Africa Talking. This process is actually very simple, and it has no U-turns. All you need to do is dial *384*3# on your Safaricom line. When you do so, a menu will pop up on your phone. Select Buy Airtime as option 1.
Since you are buying airtime for an Airtel Number, choose option 2, which is to buy for another number, and then proceed to enter the Airtel number for which you wish to buy airtime. Next, you’ll have to enter the amount and follow the rest of the process, which involves inputting your M-Pesa PIN when required.
The End
And there you have it, friends. This is the most preferred way of purchasing Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa in 2025. By following the methods we have provided above, you can easily buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa’s mobile wallet. Do you have any methods you want us to add to the article? Comment below, and we will follow up.
