This guide will give you a simple step by step procedure of buying Airtell airtime directly from your M-Pesa using the most convenient Pesapal Paybill 220220.
Whether you are topping up your own Airtel number or sending airtime to someone else, the process is simple and works on both smartphones and even kabambe (feature) phones.
Quick Answer
To buy Airtel airtime from M-Pesa:
- Open M-Pesa
- Select Lipa na M-Pesa
- Choose Pay Bill
- Enter Business Number 220220
- Use your Airtel number as the account number
- Enter the amount
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN and confirm
You should receive confirmation messages from both M-Pesa and Airtel within a few seconds.
Also read: 3 New M-PESA Loans You Can Get Instantly – Up to KSh 400,000
How to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa Using Paybill 220220
Step 1: Open the M-Pesa Menu
Go to the M-Pesa menu on your phone. You can access it through:
- The Safaricom SIM Toolkit
- The MySafaricom app
- The M-Pesa app
Step 2: Select “Lipa na M-Pesa”
From the menu options, tap or select Lipa na M-Pesa.
Step 3: Choose “Pay Bill”
Under Lipa na M-Pesa, select the Pay Bill option.
Step 4: Enter Business Number 220220
Input the official Paybill number:
220220
This Paybill is used by Pesapal to process airtime purchases for Airtel, Safaricom, and Telkom users.
Step 5: Enter Your Airtel Number as the Account Number
In the account number field, enter your Airtel phone number.
Example:
073XXXXXXXX
Some providers may also require the format:
AIRT07XXXXXXXX
Pesapal currently instructs users to use the AIRT format for Airtel airtime purchases.
Step 6: Enter the Amount
Type the amount of airtime you want to buy.
Most services support purchases starting from KSh 5 or KSh 10 depending on the provider.
Step 7: Enter Your M-Pesa PIN
Confirm the transaction details carefully, then enter your M-Pesa PIN.
Step 8: Wait for Confirmation
You should receive:
- An M-Pesa confirmation SMS
- An Airtel confirmation SMS
In most cases, the airtime is credited instantly.
Alternative Ways to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa
1. Send Money to Airtel Money
Another commonly used method is sending money directly from M-Pesa to an Airtel Money wallet, then buying airtime using Airtel Money.
This method works through the official cross-network mobile money system between Safaricom and Airtel.
2. Use the M-Pesa App
Some users also buy Airtel airtime directly through third-party integrations available inside the M-Pesa app or payment apps such as Tingg and Pesapal.
Are There Charges When Buying Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa?
Airtime purchases through Paybill 220220 are processed without additional Pesapal charges.
However, Safaricom transaction charges may still apply depending on the amount being sent and the current M-Pesa tariff structure. Older Safaricom guidance showed some charges on certain transaction bands above KSh 100.
Before confirming payment, M-Pesa usually displays the applicable transaction fee on the confirmation screen.
Common Problems When Buying Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa
Airtime Delayed
Sometimes network congestion may delay airtime delivery.
If this happens:
- Wait a few minutes
- Restart your phone
- Check your Airtel airtime balance
- Confirm that the transaction was successful on M-Pesa
Users have reported that in some cases the airtime reflects before the SMS confirmation arrives.
Wrong Phone Number Entered
Always double-check the Airtel number before sending money. Once airtime has been processed, reversals may not be possible.
Transaction Failed
A failed transaction may happen because of:
- Insufficient M-Pesa balance
- Network downtime
- Incorrect Paybill details
Ensure the Paybill number and account number are entered correctly before retrying.
Read next: 7 Apps That Actually Pay via M-Pesa in 2026: A guide for making money online.
Why Many Kenyans Buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa
Convenience
You can buy airtime anytime without visiting a shop or searching for scratch cards.
Instant Delivery
Most airtime purchases are processed within seconds.
Works Across Networks
Even though M-Pesa belongs to Safaricom, interoperability between mobile money networks allows Airtel users to receive funds and airtime purchases through supported platforms.
