Last updated on October 22, 2026
To send money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money in Kenya, dial *334#, select Send Money, choose Send to Other Network, enter the registered Airtel Money number and amount, then confirm with your M-Pesa PIN. Safaricom calls this interoperable service M-PESA Tuma Popote.
The money is credited directly to the recipient’s Airtel Money wallet. Both the sender and recipient must be registered for their respective mobile-money services. Safaricom stopped transfers to unregistered mobile-money users in February 2024.
Quick Glance
- Dial *334# from the Safaricom line registered for M-Pesa
- Select Send Money
- Select Send to Other Network
- Enter the recipient’s registered Airtel Money number and the amount
- Check the recipient details and displayed charge before entering your PIN
Table of Contents
Official Method: Send M-Pesa to Airtel Money Using *334#
Safaricom’s documented M-PESA Tuma Popote procedure is:
- Dial *334# on your Safaricom line.
- Select Send Money.
- Select Send to Other Network.
- Enter the recipient’s Airtel number. Use the number registered to their Airtel Money wallet.
- Enter the amount you want to send.
- Review the recipient details, amount and transaction charge shown on the confirmation screen.
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN only after confirming that everything is correct.
The recipient’s Airtel Money wallet should be credited directly. Keep the M-Pesa confirmation message because its transaction code is needed if you request support or a reversal.
You can also initiate eligible transfers through the M-Pesa app or SIM Toolkit where the Send Money or other-network option is available. Menu wording can vary by device or app version; *334# is the clearest officially documented route.
Requirements and Transaction Limits
- The sender must have an active, registered M-Pesa account and enough balance to cover the transfer and charge.
- The recipient must be registered for Airtel Money. Transfers to unregistered mobile-money users fail under Safaricom’s policy effective from 5 February 2024.
- Enter the Airtel number carefully and confirm the recipient details before approving the transaction.
- Your account must remain within the transaction, daily and wallet-balance limits displayed by M-Pesa.
Safaricom’s Tuma Popote FAQ lists a minimum transfer of KSh 101 and a maximum of KSh 150,000 for that service. Limits can change or differ by account, so rely on the limit shown in your current M-Pesa menu before sending.
M-Pesa to Airtel Money Charges
Safaricom states that its current registered-user send-money tariff applies to Tuma Popote transfers. Airtel may separately charge the recipient when they withdraw from their Airtel Money wallet.
Do not rely on a static fee table copied from an older article. Tariffs can change, and the charge depends on the amount. M-Pesa displays the applicable transaction cost before you enter the PIN or approve the transfer. Review that figure and cancel if it is not acceptable.
There is no legitimate reason to split one payment into repeated small transfers simply to avoid charges. That can create extra transaction records and may still be subject to service limits or controls.
Can You Use Paybill 220220?
Older online instructions commonly tell users to enter Paybill 220220 and use the Airtel number as the account number. However, Safaricom’s current public instructions for sending directly to a registered Airtel Money wallet specify *334# → Send Money → Send to Other Network.
For a person-to-person wallet transfer, use the documented Tuma Popote method. Do not treat an unsourced Paybill number as interchangeable with Send Money. If Airtel presents a Paybill for a different product, such as airtime, postpaid service or wallet loading, confirm it on Airtel Money Kenya or with Airtel customer care before paying.
This distinction is important: a Paybill payment and an interoperable person-to-person transfer can have different charges, account requirements and reversal processes. For other verified Paybill guidance, see our guide to paying an electricity bill through M-Pesa.
Can You Use Fuliza to Send Money to Airtel?
Do not assume Fuliza can fund a direct Send Money transfer to Airtel. Fuliza availability depends on the transaction type and the options displayed by M-Pesa. If the transaction is not eligible or your available M-Pesa balance cannot cover it, the request will fail.
Never buy airtime and attempt to reverse it as a workaround. The previous version of this article suggested that “trick,” but it was not supported by official guidance and could expose the user to failed transactions or account problems. Use only the options M-Pesa offers on the confirmation screen.
How to Reverse M-Pesa Sent to the Wrong Airtel Number
Act immediately if you sent money to the wrong Airtel number. Safaricom lists several reversal and support routes:
- Use the Reverse Transaction option in the M-Pesa app when it is available.
- Forward the complete M-Pesa confirmation message to 456 to request a reversal.
- Contact Safaricom support and provide the transaction code. Safaricom’s Tuma Popote FAQ also directs customers to call or SMS 100 or 200 for reversal assistance.
A reversal is a request, not a guarantee. Do not delete the confirmation message, and do not share your M-Pesa PIN or one-time password with anyone claiming to help.
Common Problems and Safe Solutions
| Problem | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Recipient is not registered | The transfer will fail. Ask the recipient to register for Airtel Money before trying again. |
| Insufficient balance | Your balance must cover both the amount and the displayed transaction charge. |
| Wrong Airtel number | Request a reversal immediately and keep the M-Pesa transaction code. |
| No confirmation SMS | Check your M-Pesa balance and transaction history before retrying to avoid sending twice. |
| Transfer pending or unavailable | Wait briefly, check for a service notice and contact Safaricom if the status remains unclear. |
| Recipient cannot withdraw | The recipient should confirm their Airtel wallet status and Airtel withdrawal tariff with Airtel support. |
For another verified mobile-money service guide, read how the PayPal–M-Pesa service works in Kenya.
FAQs
How do I send money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money?
Dial *334#, select Send Money, choose Send to Other Network, enter the registered Airtel Money number and amount, review the details and confirm with your M-Pesa PIN.
What is the M-Pesa to Airtel Money Paybill number?
Safaricom’s documented person-to-person method does not require a Paybill number. Use *334# and select Send to Other Network. Confirm any Paybill for a separate Airtel product directly with Airtel before paying.
What are the charges for sending M-Pesa to Airtel Money?
Safaricom says the current registered-user send-money tariff applies. The exact charge is displayed before confirmation and can change, so review the amount shown on your phone.
Can I send to an Airtel number that is not registered for Airtel Money?
No. Safaricom ended transfers to unregistered mobile-money users in February 2024. The recipient must first register for Airtel Money.
How do I reverse M-Pesa sent to the wrong Airtel number?
Request a reversal immediately through the M-Pesa app, forward the full confirmation message to 456, or contact Safaricom support with the transaction code. A successful reversal is not guaranteed.
Can I use Fuliza to send money to Airtel Money?
Do not assume a direct other-network transfer is Fuliza-eligible. Use only the options M-Pesa displays for that transaction and avoid unofficial airtime-reversal workarounds.
Conclusion
The verified way to send money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money is to dial *334# and use Send Money → Send to Other Network. Confirm that the Airtel number is registered, review the recipient and charge shown on screen, and keep the confirmation message.
Disclaimer: Smart Africa Guide is not affiliated with Safaricom or Airtel. Mobile-money menus, charges and limits can change. Confirm the final details displayed by the service provider before entering your PIN.
Varsha Asrani is a lecturer and education writer with experience as Visiting Faculty at AUPP and ATMC College, and as a Lecturer with TalentEdge and UpGrad. She is the Founder of the Asrani Institute of Education and Counselling. Varsha specializes in scholarships, e-learning, and career guidance for African students and professionals, and regularly visits Africa to gather first-hand insights that shape her research and articles.
