Airtel Money customers can now make seamless payments to I&M Bank merchants nationwide following a new partnership between Airtel Money and I&M Bank.
The strategic collaboration aims to strengthen Kenya’s digital commerce infrastructure by simplifying how customers send money, pay bills, and manage their finances instantly and securely from their mobile phones.
Through the partnership, Airtel Money customers will enjoy a 50 percent guaranteed cashback in airtime on all Paybill payments, alongside faster transactions, a wider merchant network and enhanced security for mobile money operations.
Speaking during the announcement in Nairobi, Airtel Money Kenya Managing Director (MD) Anne Kinuthia-Otieno noted that more than 90 percent of Paybill numbers in Kenya belong to banks, making such partnerships critical in enhancing customer convenience.
“Partnering with like-minded institutions such as I&M Bank allows us to simplify wallet funding and bill payments while expanding customer choices through our extensive merchant network. This makes digital payments easier, faster, and more secure,” she explained.
The partnership, she added, reflects Airtel Money’s ongoing commitment to driving digital inclusion and supporting Kenya’s transition to a cash-lite economy.
I&M Bank Regional CEO and Interim CEO for I&M Bank Kenya, Kihara Maina, said the Bank is delighted to partner with Airtel Money to enhance interoperability and support merchants and small businesses.
“This collaboration is a concrete step in our regional digital strategy—one that deepens interoperability, broadens financial access, and strengthens the ecosystem for businesses that power our economies,” said Maina.
He emphasized that the Kenya partnership builds on an existing successful collaboration between Airtel Money Tanzania and I&M Bank Tanzania. The two institutions are working towards creating integrated digital payment ecosystems across East Africa.
“At I&M, we believe that strategic partnerships like this accelerate the transition to efficient, transparent, and inclusive digital payments across the region,” Maina remarked.
He highlighted that the regional approach enables both organizations to leverage shared experiences, scale innovations faster, and deliver consistent, high-quality digital banking services to customers across multiple markets. This reinforces I&M Group’s vision of borderless banking and Airtel’s position as a leading mobile money operator in Africa.
Currently, Airtel Money customers can pay I&M-linked merchants via Airtel USSD by dialing *334#, selecting Paybill & Till Payments, choosing Airtel Paybill, entering Paybill Number (542542), then entering the reference number (merchant’s number), the amount, and their PIN to complete the payment.
On the Airtel Money App, customers can perform the same transaction by launching the app, selecting Paybill, choosing Airtel Paybill, entering the Paybill number (542542), reference number, amount, and PIN.
The new payment channel is expected to improve convenience for I&M merchants while driving adoption of mobile money payments across Kenya’s growing digital economy.
By Michael Omondi
