How buying Airtel airtime by Paybill works
Airtime is the prepaid credit on an Airtel Kenya line. You use it for calls and SMS, or to buy Airtel voice, SMS and data bundles. With Goldmen Solution you can top up any Airtel number straight from M-Pesa, with no account, no agent and no scratch card.
You pay the Paybill 4166283 from your M-Pesa menu and type the Airtel number as the Account Number. That account number tells us which Airtel line to top up. The amount you pay is the amount of airtime you ask for.
This service is for prepaid Airtel lines. It is operated by Goldmen Solution and is independent of Airtel Kenya and Safaricom; Airtel, M-Pesa and their logos belong to their owners.
1. Pay the Paybill
Business number 4166283 from M-Pesa.
2. Airtel number as account
The Airtel number to be topped up goes in the Account Number field.
3. Airtime lands
The airtime is delivered to that Airtel number once the payment is confirmed.
How to pay, step by step
It takes about a minute. You need an M-Pesa phone with enough balance (the airtime amount plus any charge) and the Airtel number to top up.
1
Open Lipa na M-Pesa
Dial *334# on your Safaricom line, or open the SIM toolkit or the M-Pesa app.
Choose Lipa na M-Pesa, then select Pay Bill.
2
Enter the business number
Type the Business Number 4166283.
Check it matches exactly before you continue.
3
Enter the Airtel number as the account number
Type the Airtel number to be topped up as the Account Number, in 10-digit format, for example 0733123456.
It can be your own Airtel line or a friend’s. Read the number back digit by digit.
4
Enter the amount and your PIN
Enter an amount between KSh 5 and KSh 4,000.
Enter your M-Pesa PIN and confirm. We never see your PIN. Wait for the M-Pesa confirmation SMS.
Menu wording can differ slightly between the SIM toolkit and the M-Pesa app, but the order is always: Lipa na M-Pesa, Pay Bill, business number, account number, amount, PIN.
Safety
- Our business number is 4166283. Do not pay a number sent to you in an unverified message or call.
- Enter your M-Pesa PIN only on your own phone. We will never ask for it by call, SMS or WhatsApp.
- Keep the M-Pesa SMS of every payment until the airtime arrives.
- Learn more in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Frequently asked questions
How do I buy Airtel airtime from M-Pesa using the Paybill?
Open M-Pesa, choose Lipa na M-Pesa, then Pay Bill. Enter 4166283 as the Business Number and the Airtel number you want to top up as the Account Number. Enter the amount, then your M-Pesa PIN, and confirm. The airtime is sent to that Airtel number once the payment is confirmed.
What is the Paybill number?
The business (Paybill) number is 4166283. Always check that the number you type matches this exactly.
What do I enter as the Account Number?
Enter the Airtel number that should receive the airtime, in the 10-digit local format with no spaces, for example 0733123456 or 0100123456.
Can I pay from my M-Pesa and top up an Airtel line?
Yes. The M-Pesa line that pays and the Airtel line that receives the airtime are independent. You pay from your M-Pesa and put the Airtel number as the account number. It can be your own Airtel line or someone else's.
What is the minimum and maximum amount?
Online purchases accept KSh 5 to KSh 4,000. Please keep Paybill payments within the same range.
Which numbers count as Airtel numbers?
Airtel Kenya numbers commonly start with 073x, 075x (0750 to 0756), 078x and 0100 to 0102. Because of mobile number portability, a number can be moved between networks, so confirm the owner is still on Airtel before you pay.
I paid but the airtime has not arrived. What should I do?
Wait a few minutes, then check the Airtel balance by dialling *131#. If it still has not arrived, contact us with your M-Pesa receipt code, the Airtel number you entered and the amount, and we will investigate.
I typed the wrong account number. Can I get the airtime back?
Contact us immediately with your M-Pesa receipt code, the number you meant to top up and the number you typed. Airtime that has already been delivered to a line cannot be reversed by us, so always double-check the number before you confirm.
I paid the wrong business number. What now?
Payments to another business are not under our control. Contact Safaricom customer care (dial 100) as soon as possible and ask about an M-Pesa reversal request.
Is there a fee for using the Paybill?
We do not add any charge. Any transaction charge applied to your payment is set by Safaricom, not by us.
Can I buy Airtel data bundles this way?
We sell airtime. Once the airtime is on the Airtel line, you can use it to buy Airtel voice, SMS and data bundles by dialling *544# on that line.
Can I use Airtel Money to pay this Paybill?
Yes, Airtel Money can pay M-Pesa Paybills. See the Paybill Guide for the Airtel Money steps. This page focuses on paying from M-Pesa.
Do you ever ask for my M-Pesa PIN?
Never. You enter your PIN only on your own phone's M-Pesa screen. Do not share it with anyone who calls, texts or messages you.
Is there another way to buy besides the Paybill?
Yes. You can also use our online checkout, which sends an M-Pesa prompt to your phone and shows delivery status on screen.
