KCB, Kenya’s second-most profitable bank, and Airtel Money Kenya Limited, a mobile money service owned by Airtel Kenya, have partnered to enable Airtel Money customers to make payments directly to KCB merchants through the Lipa Na KCB service. This move supports the National Payments Strategy 2022–2025, promoting full interoperability in the payments industry.
According to KCB Bank Kenya Managing Director Mrs. Annastacia Kimtai, this initiative aims to enhance the payments ecosystem to support low-value, high-volume transactions, thereby accelerating financial inclusion.
Airtel Money Managing Director Mrs. Anne Kinuthia-Otieno said that the integration of Lipa na KCB into Airtel Money’s ecosystem offers customers more options for conducting payments.
In 2023, KCB reported that 99% of its transactions were through non-branch channels, with a 31% increase in digital transaction value to KShs. 6.4 trillion.
How to access the payment option
USSD journey
- Dial *334#
- Select “Paybill and Till Payment”
- Select “Paybill”
- Select “Airtel Paybill (including bank paybills)”
- Enter Paybill number: 522533
- Enter Account Number as displayed at the merchant’s outlet
- Enter Amount
- Enter PIN to confirm
App journey
- Launch the My Airtel App
- Select “Paybill”
- Choose “Airtel Paybill”
- Enter Paybill number: 522533
- Enter Account Number as displayed at the merchant’s outlet
- Enter Amount
- Enter PIN to confirm
The partnership aims to offer seamless payment solutions without transferring money between networks.
