Looking for the easiest way to buy Airtel airtime using Safaricom’s Mpesa? You’re in the right place! Mpesa has become the go-to payment method for countless services and bills in Kenya, and yes, it even allows you to top up Airtel airtime seamlessly.
If you’re wondering, “How do I buy Airtel airtime from Mpesa?” the process is straightforward and quick.

Just follow these simple steps:
- Open your phone’s apps menu.
- Look for the Safaricom toolkit app and open it.
- Tap on the “Mpesa” option, usually the second option on the list.
- Select “Lipa Na Mpesa” from the available options.
- Enter the account number as 215215 (PESAPAL).
- Provide your Airtel mobile number, for example, 0712345678.
- Enter the amount of airtime you want to purchase and click “OK.”
- Enter your Mpesa Pin when prompted.
- That’s it! You will receive a message confirming the airtime credit. You can also check your airtime balance to confirm.
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Method 2: How To Buy Airtel Airtime From Mpesa
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy your airtime from Mpesa:
- Using your phone, open your apps menu.
- Look for the Safaricom toolkit app and open it.
- Tap on the “Mpesa” option, which is usually the second option on the list.
- Once you’re on the Mpesa menu, you’ll see a few options. Select “Lipa Na Mpesa.”
- You’ll be prompted to enter an account number. For airtime purchases, enter the account number as 220220 (PESAPAL).
- Next, you’ll need to enter your Airtel mobile number. For example, if your Airtel number is 0712345678, enter that.
- After entering your mobile number, you’ll be asked to specify the amount of airtime you want to purchase. Enter the desired amount and click “OK.”
- Finally, you’ll need to enter your Mpesa pin for verification.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’re done! You’ll receive a message from Airtel confirming that your account has been credited with the purchased airtime. You can also check your Airtel airtime balance to confirm.
Method 3 to buy Airtel airtime from Mpesa using the Paybill Number 528528 (M-AIRTIME):
- Open your phone’s apps menu.
- Look for the Safaricom toolkit app and open it.
- Tap on the “Mpesa” option, which is usually the second option on the list.
- In the Mpesa menu, select “Lipa Na Mpesa.”
- You’ll be prompted to enter an account number. Enter 528528 for airtime purchases.
- Next, you’ll need to enter your Airtel mobile number, for example, 0712345678.
- After entering your mobile number, specify the amount of airtime you want to purchase and click “OK.”
- Finally, enter your Mpesa Pin to complete the transaction.
That’s it! You will receive a message from Airtel confirming that your account has been credited with the purchased airtime. You can also check your Airtel airtime balance to confirm.
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Is there a limit to the airtime that can I purchase?
Yes, there is a limit to the amount of airtime you can purchase through Mpesa. The maximum amount you can buy depends on the specific limits set by Airtel.
References
- Techcabal.com – How to buy Airtel airtime via MPesa and other avenues in 2025
