Sending money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money and from Airtel Money to M-Pesa is now easier than ever before. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to do so, including the transaction fees for both transfers.
M-Pesa and Airtel Money are two of Kenya’s most popular mobile money platforms. M-Pesa reigns as the dominant player, boasting the largest customer base and a widespread network of agents and users.
But despite their popularity, the seamless exchange of funds between these two giants was not always a straightforward process. Previously, the process was riddled with complexities and inconveniences that often frustrated customers. But thanks to the introduction of mobile money merchant interoperability in 2022, mobile money users across these two networks can now enjoy transferring funds without a hassle.
How to Send Money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money Via USSD
The procedure for sending money is straightforward and only requires a few basic steps. Unfortunately, Safaricom hasn’t enabled its users to use the SIM toolkit to send money to another network. You can only use the MySafaricom app, the M-Pesa app, or the USSD code (*334#).
Before you send money from your M-Pesa account to an Airtel Money user, you need to ensure that you have an active M-Pesa account with enough funds to enable the transaction to go through. Also, the Airtel mobile number of the recipient must be registered for mobile money services. After that, follow these steps to complete the transaction:
- Dial *334# from your M-Pesa registered phone.
- Select “Send Money” from the menu.
- Choose “Send to other Network.”
- Enter the Airtel mobile number you want to transfer money to.
- Enter the amount that you want to send.
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN to confirm the transaction.
- Review and confirm the details, then complete the transaction.
That’s it! M-Pesa will send you a confirmation message to let you know the transfer was successful. The Airtel Money recipient will also receive a notification message informing them of the incoming funds.
How to Send Money from Airtel Money to M-Pesa
Sending money is also a straightforward process. Unlike sending money from M-Pesa to Airtel Money, Airtel Money enables you to send money to an M-Pesa user through both the USSD code and the SIM toolkit. Here are the procedures for sending money using both options:
Option 1: Using USSD code (*222#):
- Dial *222# on your Airtel Money-registered SIM card.
- Select option 4, which is “Send Money.”
- Next, select “Send to M-Pesa.”
- Enter the recipient’s Safaricom M-Pesa mobile number.
- Enter the amount you want to send.
- Confirm the transaction details and enter your Airtel Money PIN to complete the transaction.
Option 2: Using the Airtel SIM Toolkit:
- Open the Airtel SIM toolkit and select “Airtel Money.”
- Choose “Send Money.”
- Next, select “Send to M-Pesa”
- Enter the recipient’s Safaricom phone number.
- Enter the amount you would like to send.
- Input your Airtel Money PIN and complete the transaction.
Transaction Fees
The transaction fees for sending money vary depending on the amount of money being transferred. These charges are deducted from the sender’s account balance at the time of the transaction. The recipient does not incur any charges for receiving money from another network.
Transaction Fees
| Min | Max | M-Pesa to Airtel Money charges |
| 1 | 49 | Free |
| 50 | 100 | Free |
| 101 | 500 | 7 |
| 501 | 1000 | 13 |
| 1001 | 1500 | 23 |
| 1501 | 2500 | 33 |
| 2501 | 3500 | 53 |
| 3501 | 5000 | 57 |
| 5001 | 7500 | 78 |
| 7501 | 10000 | 90 |
| 10001 | 15000 | 100 |
| 15001 | 20000 | 105 |
| 20001 | 35000 | 108 |
| 35001 | 50000 | 108 |
| 50001 | 250000 | 108 |
Transaction Fees
| Min | Max | Airtel Money to M-Pesa Charges |
| 10 | 49 | 0 |
| 50 | 100 | 0 |
| 101 | 500 | 6 |
| 501 | 1000 | 10 |
| 1001 | 2500 | 20 |
| 2501 | 5000 | 50 |
| 5001 | 10000 | 75 |
| 10001 | 25000 | 90 |
| 25001 | 35000 | 100 |
| 35001 | 45000 | 105 |
| 45001 | 70000 | 105 |
| 70001 | 250000 | 105 |
Conclusion
That’s how you can easily send money and the charges you will incur. Please note that the transaction charges are subject to change. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check with Safaricom or Airtel for the latest information before making a transfer.