How to buy data, airtime & pay bills on M-PESA (USSD & mobile app)

M-Pesa is a mobile money service in Kenya which lets people use their phones to send and receive money, pay bills, and buy things. M-Pesa has helped many people, by making it easier to handle money without needing a bank. It has become a big part of how Kenyans manage their money every day. Let’s take a look at how you can buy data, airtime and paybills conveniently using the M-pesa mobile app and the USSD codes.

How to buy data, airtime and pay bills using M-PESA mobile app

Simply follow these simple steps to learn how you can buy data, airtime and pay bills using M-pesa mobile app:

Buy Airtime for my number

1. Click on Transact on Bottom Navigation Menu

2. Click on Buy Airtime for my number

3. Insert the amount and click continue

4. Confirm the amount to buy and click Buy Airtime

5. Insert PIN

6. You’ll see a success screen with the Transaction ID confirming your transaction

Buy Airtime for others

1. Click on Transact on Bottom Navigation Menu

2. Click on Buy Airtime for others

3. Select the contact or Enter Phone Number

4. Insert the amount and click continue

5. Confirm the amount to buy and click Buy Airtime

6. Insert PIN

7. You’ll see a success screen with the Transaction ID confirming your transaction

Once confirmed, you’ll receive a confirmation message from MPesa and Airtel indicating that the airtime has been successfully credited to the recipient’s account.

Pay Bill

1. Click on Transact on Bottom Navigation Menu or Quick Actions

2. Click on Pay Bill

3. Select to enter the Pay Bill number manually or select from frequents or favourites. You can also go to a category and select a business

4. Insert the Pay Bill Number Number and Click Continue. Insert an account number if applicable and click continue

5. Insert the Amount to purchase

6. Click Continue

7. Confirm the Payment details and click Pay

8. Insert PIN

You’ll receive a message with the Transaction ID confirming your transaction

For Data Bundles

1. Open the M-PESA app on your mobile device

2.Log in with your M-PESA PIN

3.Navigate to the “Buy Bundles” section

4.Choose the type of bundle you want to buy (Daily, Weekly, Monthly, etc.)

5.Select the specific bundle based on the amount of data and price

6.Confirm the details and enter your M-PESA PIN to authorize the purchase.

You will receive a confirmation notification from the app and a confirmation SMS with details of your data purchase.

How to buy data, airtime and pay bills using M-PESA USSD code

To buy Airtime, data and pay bills using the MPesa USSD code, follow these general steps:

For buying airtime

1. Dial the M- pesa ussd code *334# on your mobile phone.

2. Select Lipa na MPesa option usually (option 6)on the menu

3. Go Buy Airtime on the drop-down menu

4. Select My Phone to buy airtime for your own number or “Other Phone” to buy for another number. https://da.gd/F0xCVp

5. Enter the amount of money for the airtime you want to buy.

6. Enter your M-pesa pin to confirm your transaction

7. You will receive a confirmation sms from M-pesa

For Data Bundles

1. Dial the M-pesa ussd code *544# on your mobile

2. Choose the type of bundle you want from the menu options ie daily, weekly or monthly.

3. Select the bundle you want to buy based on the amount of data and price.

4 Confirm your transactions by following prompts

5. A confirmation SMS from Safaricom with details of your data purchase will be sent to your phone.

For Paying bills

To paybills using the M-PESA USSD code in Kenya, follow these steps:

1. Dail *334# on your mobile device

2. Select Lipa na M-PESA from the menu tab

3. Tap on Pay Bill from the drop-down menu (usually option 1).

4. Enter the Business Number : Type the business number of the bill you want to pay. ie for Kenya Power is 888880.

5. Enter your account Number with the service provider you’re paying for

6. Enter the Amount ie the amount you want to pay.

7. Confirm the payment after reviewing your details

8. Enter your M-pesa pin and complete transactions.

A confirmation SMS from M-PESA is sent to your phone once the transaction is successful.

Editor’s Remarks

Using M-Pesa to buy data, airtime, paybills is easy and convenient. Whether through the USSD code or the mobile app, M-Pesa provides a simple way to manage these tasks right from your phone, helping you stay connected and pay for services quickly and securely.

You can also check out How to link M-PESA to PayPal and Transact online in Kenya

Frequently Asked Questions