Running out of Airtel airtime does not mean you have to look for a nearby shop or airtime vendor. If you have money in your M-Pesa account, you can buy Airtel airtime directly from your phone using Pesapal’s M-Pesa Paybill service.
Pesapal uses Paybill number 220220 to process airtime purchases for Airtel and other supported mobile networks in Kenya.
The process takes only a few steps, but entering the correct account number is important to make sure the airtime is sent to the intended Airtel number.
What You Need Before Buying Airtel Airtime
Before starting the transaction, make sure you have:
- An active M-Pesa account
- Enough M-Pesa balance to cover the airtime purchase
- The Airtel mobile number you want to top up
- Your M-Pesa PIN
You do not need to install the Pesapal app if you are using the M-Pesa Paybill method.
How to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the M-Pesa menu
Open the M-Pesa menu on your phone.
Depending on your phone or M-Pesa version, the option may appear under Lipa na M-Pesa.
Step 2: Select Pay Bill
Choose Pay Bill from the available M-Pesa payment options.
Step 3: Enter the Pesapal Paybill number
Enter:
Business Number: 220220
This is Pesapal’s Paybill number for its supported airtime and bill payment services.
Step 4: Enter the Airtel account number
This is one of the most important steps.
For Airtel airtime, Pesapal currently instructs customers to use the following account format:
AIRT + Airtel mobile number
For example, if the Airtel number is:
0733 123 456
Enter the account number as:
AIRT0733123456
The AIRT prefix identifies the transaction as an Airtel airtime purchase.
Step 5: Enter the airtime amount
Enter the amount of Airtel airtime you want to purchase.
For example, you could enter:
- KSh 50
- KSh 100
- KSh 200
- KSh 500
- KSh 1,000
Make sure the amount is correct before proceeding.
Step 6: Enter your M-Pesa PIN
Enter your M-Pesa PIN when prompted.
Never share your M-Pesa PIN with another person, including someone claiming to be a Pesapal or mobile-money representative.
Step 7: Confirm the transaction
Check the details displayed on your phone before completing the transaction.
Pay particular attention to:
- The Paybill number
- The Airtel number
- The airtime amount
If everything is correct, confirm the transaction.
Step 8: Wait for confirmation
After the payment is processed, you should receive an M-Pesa confirmation message. The Airtel airtime should then be credited to the number you entered.
If you are buying airtime for someone else, make sure you have entered their Airtel number correctly.
Quick Summary
Here is the process at a glance:
| M-Pesa Field | What to Enter |
|---|---|
| Payment option | Pay Bill |
| Business Number | 220220 |
| Account Number | AIRT + Airtel number |
| Amount | Airtime amount you want |
| PIN | Your M-Pesa PIN |
For example:
Paybill: 220220
Account: AIRT0733123456
Amount: KSh 100
Can You Buy Airtel Airtime for Someone Else?
Yes. The Airtel number entered in the account field determines where the airtime is sent.
This means you can use your M-Pesa balance to buy Airtel airtime for:
- A family member
- A friend
- An employee
- Another Airtel line you own
However, double-check the number before confirming the transaction. A wrong mobile number can result in the airtime being sent to the wrong recipient.
Does Pesapal Charge a Fee for Buying Airtime?
Pesapal currently advertises its airtime purchase service as having no additional charges when buying airtime through its supported M-Pesa service.
However, always review the transaction details displayed by M-Pesa before confirming a payment, since payment services and terms can change.
What If the Airtime Does Not Arrive?
If your M-Pesa transaction is successful but the Airtel airtime does not appear, do not immediately repeat the transaction.
First:
- Check your M-Pesa confirmation message.
- Confirm that you entered the correct Airtel number.
- Check whether the transaction was completed or reversed.
- Give the system a short time to process the airtime.
- Keep your M-Pesa transaction confirmation for reference.
- Contact Pesapal support if the transaction remains unresolved.
Avoid making another payment before determining what happened to the first transaction.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Entering the Airtel number without the AIRT prefix
For the current Pesapal Airtel airtime instructions, the account number should use the AIRT prefix followed by the Airtel mobile number.
2. Using the wrong Paybill number
For this Pesapal airtime service, the Business Number is:
220220
Always verify the Paybill number before completing a payment.
3. Sending airtime to the wrong number
This is one of the easiest mistakes to make. Carefully check every digit of the Airtel number before entering your M-Pesa PIN.
4. Sharing your M-Pesa PIN
Your M-Pesa PIN is private. You should enter it yourself and never disclose it to someone assisting you with a transaction.
5. Repeating a failed transaction too quickly
If the first transaction appears to be pending, check its status before trying again. Making multiple payments could result in multiple airtime purchases.
Can You Use the Pesapal App Instead?
Yes. Pesapal also provides a mobile application and online services for purchasing airtime and paying bills.
However, if you simply want to buy Airtel airtime from your M-Pesa balance, using Paybill 220220 is a straightforward option because you can complete the transaction from the M-Pesa menu.
Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pesapal Paybill number for Airtel airtime?
Pesapal’s Paybill number for buying Airtel airtime through M-Pesa is 220220.
What account number should I use?
For Airtel airtime, use AIRT followed by the Airtel mobile number.
For example:
AIRT0733123456
Can I buy Airtel airtime for another person?
Yes. You can enter another Airtel number as the destination number, provided the number is entered correctly.
Can I buy Airtel airtime using M-Pesa without the Pesapal app?
Yes. You can use the M-Pesa Pay Bill option and enter Pesapal’s Paybill 220220.
Can I use this method to buy Safaricom airtime?
Pesapal also supports Safaricom and Telkom airtime through its services. However, the account-number format differs depending on the network.
Is Pesapal the same as Airtel?
No. Pesapal is a payment service that facilitates transactions such as airtime purchases, while Airtel is the telecommunications provider whose airtime you are buying.
Final Word
Buying Airtel airtime from M-Pesa does not have to be complicated.
With Pesapal’s Paybill 220220, you can purchase Airtel airtime directly from your M-Pesa account without visiting an airtime vendor.
The most important details to remember are:
Paybill: 220220
Account: AIRT + Airtel mobile number
Before entering your M-Pesa PIN, take a few seconds to confirm the Airtel number and amount. That simple check can help prevent avoidable payment mistakes.
