How to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa Using Paybill 220220
Buy Airtel airtime from M-Pesa in a few simple steps using the Pesapal Paybill number 220220. This option is useful when you need to top up your Airtel line quickly without looking for a physical scratch card or visiting a shop.
The service allows M-Pesa users to purchase Airtel airtime directly from their phones. You only need your M-Pesa account, enough balance, the Airtel number you want to recharge and your M-Pesa PIN.
Pesapal lists Paybill 220220 as a payment option for buying Airtel airtime, Safaricom airtime, Telkom airtime and other services in Kenya. For Airtel airtime, Pesapal’s instructions show that users should enter Business Number 220220 and use an Airtel account reference format beginning with AIRT followed by the Airtel mobile number.
Requirements Before Buying Airtel Airtime
Before you begin, make sure you have:
An active M-Pesa account
Enough money in your M-Pesa account
The Airtel number you want to top up
Your M-Pesa PIN
A working mobile phone connection
How to Buy Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa
Follow these steps to buy Airtel airtime using M-Pesa:
Go to the M-Pesa menu on your phone.
Select Lipa na M-Pesa.
Choose Pay Bill.
Enter Business Number 220220.
For the account number, enter AIRT followed by the Airtel number you want to recharge.
Enter the amount of airtime you want to buy.
Enter your M-Pesa PIN.
Confirm the details and send.
After completing the payment, you should receive an M-Pesa confirmation message. The airtime is normally credited to the Airtel number entered during the transaction.
Correct Account Number Format
When buying Airtel airtime through Pesapal Paybill 220220, the account number should follow Pesapal’s Airtel airtime format:
AIRT followed by the Airtel mobile number.
For example, if the Airtel number is 0733XXXXXX, the account number should be entered as:
AIRT0733XXXXXX
Always confirm the number carefully before sending the payment. Entering the wrong number may cause the airtime to be credited to the wrong Airtel line or delay the transaction.
Why Use Pesapal Paybill 220220?
Pesapal Paybill 220220 is convenient because it allows users to buy airtime directly from M-Pesa at any time. You do not need to visit an agent, buy a scratch card or look for a retail shop.
It is also useful when topping up another person’s Airtel line, such as a child’s phone, a family member’s number or a staff line for business communication.
Pesapal’s official personal payments page says Paybill 220220 can be used in Kenya to buy Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom airtime, as well as pay selected bills.
Benefits of Buying Airtel Airtime from M-Pesa
The biggest benefit is speed. Once the transaction is successful, airtime is usually credited shortly after payment.
It is also flexible. You can buy airtime from home, at work, while travelling or during an emergency.
The method is simple enough for everyday users because it follows the normal Lipa na M-Pesa Pay Bill process.
Important Safety Tips
Always check the business number before paying. The Pesapal Paybill number for this method is 220220.
Confirm the Airtel number before entering your M-Pesa PIN.
Do not share your M-Pesa PIN with anyone.
Keep the confirmation message in case you need to follow up on a delayed transaction.
If the airtime does not reflect after payment, contact Pesapal or Airtel customer care with your M-Pesa confirmation message.
Alternative Ways to Top Up Airtel
Airtel Kenya also lists other ways to top up, including Airtel Money through *334#, Kopa Credo through *310#, the My Airtel App, bank apps and bank USSD options.
However, for Safaricom M-Pesa users who want to top up an Airtel line, Paybill 220220 remains one of the easiest options.
Final Word
Buying Airtel airtime from M-Pesa using Pesapal Paybill 220220 is fast, simple and convenient. The most important thing is to enter the correct Paybill number and the correct Airtel account number format before confirming the payment.
For Airtel users in Kenya, this method offers a practical way to stay connected without relying on scratch cards or physical airtime vendors.
