If you have borrowed airtime from Airtel using the Okoa (formerly Pewa) service, you need to repay it before you can borrow again – or to avoid automatic deductions. This guide covers every official method to pay your Airtel Okoa loan via M‑PESA, including USSD and Paybill options. It is fast, secure, and takes less than a minute.
📱 What is Airtel Okoa (Pewa)?
Airtel Okoa (previously called Pewa) is a short‑term airtime loan service that allows Airtel Kenya subscribers to borrow airtime when they run out of credit. The loan comes with a 10% service fee and must be repaid within a specific period (usually 7 days). You can borrow up to a certain limit depending on your usage history.
Repayment is done automatically when you top up airtime, but you can also choose to repay earlier via M‑PESA using the methods below.
📞 Method 1: Repay Airtel Okoa via USSD (*544#)
This is the official and most direct way to repay your Airtel Okoa loan using M‑PESA:
- Dial *544# on your Airtel line.
- Select "Okoa (Pewa)" from the menu.
- Select "Repay Okoa".
- Choose "M‑PESA" as your payment method.
- Enter the amount you want to repay (you can repay the full loan or part of it). The system will show you the outstanding balance.
- You will receive an M‑PESA STK Push prompt on your phone.
- Enter your M‑PESA PIN and confirm the transaction.
- You will get a confirmation SMS from Airtel and M‑PESA – your loan is now repaid.
This method is instant and preferred because it directly updates your Airtel account and restores your borrowing limit.
🏦 Method 2: Repay via M‑PESA Paybill
Airtel Kenya also allows repayment via M‑PESA Paybill using their official paybill number. Here are the steps:
- Open your M‑PESA app or SIM toolkit.
- Select Lipa na M‑PESA → Paybill.
- Enter the Airtel Paybill number: 888880 (this is Airtel Kenya's main paybill for payments). Note: If this number has changed, confirm from the official Airtel website or dial *544# to get the current Paybill number.
- Enter your Airtel phone number as the account number.
- Enter the amount you wish to pay (the exact loan balance shown in your USSD).
- Enter your M‑PESA PIN and confirm.
- Wait for the confirmation SMS – the repayment will reflect on your Airtel account within a few minutes.
If the Paybill number does not work, always use the USSD (*544#) method as it is the most reliable.
🔄 Method 3: Auto‑Deduction (When You Buy Airtime)
The simplest way to repay Airtel Okoa is to simply buy airtime. When you top up your Airtel line via M‑PESA or scratch card, the system automatically deducts the loan amount (plus the 10% fee) from the top‑up value and credits the remainder to your airtime balance.
For example:
- You owe Ksh 100 (loan) + Ksh 10 (fee) = Ksh 110 total.
- You top up Ksh 200 airtime.
- Airtel deducts Ksh 110 to repay the loan, and you receive Ksh 90 in your airtime balance.
This happens automatically – you do not need to do anything extra. However, if you want to repay before your next top‑up, use the USSD or Paybill methods above.
📌 Important Things to Know About Airtel Okoa Repayment
- 10% service fee: Airtel charges a 10% fee on the amount borrowed. For example, if you borrow Ksh 100, you must repay Ksh 110.
- Repayment period: You typically have 7 days to repay. After that, the system will automatically deduct from your next top‑up and may restrict your ability to borrow again.
- Partial repayment: You can repay part of the loan via USSD, but it is advisable to clear the full balance to restore your borrowing limit.
- Does buying bundles repay Okoa? No – buying bundles via a reseller till (like 509947) is a "Buy Goods" transaction and does not repay your Airtel Okoa loan. To repay, you must use the official USSD, Paybill, or buy airtime directly.
- Reseller till 509947: While it does not repay your loan, you can still use it to buy bundles even with Airtel Okoa – keeping you connected while you sort out the repayment separately.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Airtel Okoa Repayment
Dial *544# and select 'Okoa (Pewa)' → 'Repay Okoa' → enter the amount you want to pay → select M-PESA as your payment method → enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the transaction.
Yes, you can use Airtel's Paybill number. Open M-PESA → Lipa na M-PESA → Paybill → Enter Airtel's Paybill number (usually 888880 or as provided) → Account number is your Airtel phone number → Enter amount → PIN and confirm.
No – buying bundles via a reseller till like 509947 does NOT repay your Airtel Okoa loan. It is a 'Buy Goods' transaction. To repay the loan, you must use the official USSD (*544#) or Paybill methods.
Airtel charges a 10% service fee on the borrowed amount. The total repayment amount is the loan + 10% fee, which will be shown before you confirm the payment.
If you don't repay, you won't be able to borrow again, and Airtel may deduct the amount automatically from your next airtime top-up. Your line may also be barred from certain services until the debt is cleared.
Yes – you can still buy bundles using reseller tills like 509947 (BingwaSoko). Official USSD bundle purchases will fail, but the till method works regardless of your Okoa status. Read the full guide here →
