Safaricom and Airtel are the two biggest telecommunications companies in Kenya. And since Kenya is considered the most advanced economy in mobile finance, it should be easy to move money between these two giants. Luckily, it is. You can send money from MPesa to Airtel money as well as from Airtel money to MPesa with great ease.

This solution came after the two giants decided to put their differences aside and collaborate in a feature that enables seamless transactions between the two.

We all know how Safaricom rubs its majority share in Kenya’s telecommunications industry on the face of Airtel, and how the latter fights back desperately with targeted ads and very affordable internet bundles. If these two would meet in an elevator, they would tear each other apart.

But the existence of both entities is a blessing to Kenyans. While Safaricom takes advantage of its financial edge and subscription dominance, Airtel keeps her big brother in check.

She is always coming up with better solutions at affordable rates and constantly trying to woo Kenyans her way. This forces Safaricom to be on its toes in fear of being overtaken.

Such kind of competition is healthy and beneficial to the industry unlike in Power supply where KPLC is a monopoly that’s so lazy to offer Kenyan better services

Anyway, before I digress further, we’re here to find out the simple process of moving money between Airtel and Safaricom. Let’s get down to business

Steps to send money from MPesa to Airtel Money

There are two methods of sending money from MPesa to Airtel money. The first one uses *234# USSD code while the second one uses *334# USSD code which was introduced recently to enable MPesa transaction right from your dialer on any phone.

With either method, make sure the Airtel number you’re sending money to is registered for mobile money services. Otherwise, you might have a hard time recovering your money such as those encountered when trying to reverse MPesa money sent to the wrong number.

Method 1

One way to send money from MPesa to Airtel.

1. Dial *234#
2. Select Option 1 for MPesa Products
3. Input 98 for more products
4. Select option 8 for Mpesa Tuma Popote
5. Enter the recipient’s Airtel mobile number
6. Enter the amount
7. Confirm the details
8. Enter Mpesa PIN to complete the transaction

You will receive a transaction confirmation message from Mpesa

Method 2

The easiest and fastest way to send money from MPesa to Airtel Money is to

1. Dial *334#
2. Select 1 to Send Money
3. Select 3 to Send money to other Network
4. Enter the recipient’s Airtel Mobile Number
5. Enter the amount
6. Confirm the details
7. Enter Mpesa PIN to complete the transaction

You will receive a transaction confirmation message from Mpesa

Now, what if you want to do the reverse; send money from Airtel Money to MPesa? This solution is helpful especially for users whose Safaricom MPesa numbers have loan issues.

For instance, I have a close friend who borrowed loans through his Safaricom number from numerous banks, loan apps and even Fuliza. Now he uses Airtel Money to send and receive money and promises never to pay the loans. Good luck buddy.

So how do you go about this?

Steps to Send Money from Airtel Money to MPesa

Similarly, first, make sure the Safaricom number receiving the money is registered with MPesa.

1. Dial *222#
2. Select Send Money
3. Select send to M-Pesa
4. Enter the recipients (Safaricom) mobile number
5. Enter Amount
6. Confirm transaction details
7. Enter PIN
8. Press okay

Conclusion

As you can see, it’s very easy to transact between Safaricom MPesa and Airtel Money. This solution contributes to the many other mobile money solutions that make Kenya the global leader in this sector.

Meanwhile, if Airtel is to effectively level up competition against Safaricom, it needs to invest heavily on its mobile money solution, come up with ideas and improve its services to Kenyans.

Focusing on certain sectors or areas at first can prove very effective before they can take on the giant nationally. But of course, the internet bundles must continue being affordable, or what do you think?