Sending money from M-PESA into an Absa Bank account is not a Send Money to a phone number. It is a Pay Bill to Absa's paybill, with the destination bank account number in the account field. This is the same pattern as sending to KCB, Co-op, or Equity, just with Absa's number.
The verified paybill
Absa Bank Kenya is paybill 303030. The account is the Absa account number you are depositing to. If you are topping up your own Absa account, use your own number. If you are paying someone else, use theirs.
Send to Absa step by step
- Open the M-PESA app, or dial *334#.
- Select Lipa na M-PESA, then Pay Bill.
- Business number: 303030.
- Account: the Absa account number you are funding. No spaces.
- Enter the amount.
- Enter your M-PESA PIN and confirm.
The deposit is usually instant. You get an M-PESA SMS, and the funds reflect in the Absa account right away in the normal case.
Limits
It did not reflect
If the M-PESA SMS confirmed but the Absa account has not updated after a short while, first check the account number you typed. A wrong Absa account number is the usual cause, the money reached Absa but sits against the wrong or an invalid account. Call Absa on 0722 130 120 with your M-PESA transaction code and the correct account number. Do not send again until it is traced.
What it costs
Standard M-PESA paybill fees apply. Absa does not add a fee on top for M-PESA deposits.
| If you send | M-PESA fee | Total off your wallet |
|---|---|---|
| KES 1,000 | KES 10 | KES 1,010 |
| KES 5,000 | KES 34 | KES 5,034 |
| KES 20,000 | KES 62 | KES 20,062 |
| KES 100,000 | KES 108 | KES 100,108 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the Absa Bank paybill for M-PESA?
Absa Bank Kenya is paybill 303030. The account is the Absa account number you are depositing to.
How much can I send from M-PESA to Absa at once?
Up to KES 250,000 per transaction, with a daily M-PESA ceiling of KES 500,000. Split larger amounts across two transactions.
Is sending to Absa instant?
Usually yes. You get an M-PESA SMS and the funds reflect in the Absa account right away. Keep the SMS as proof.
My M-PESA to Absa transfer did not reflect. What do I do?
Check the account number you used. If it was wrong, call Absa on 0722 130 120 with your M-PESA transaction code and the correct account. Do not resend until traced.
Resources
- Absa paybill 303030, the verified directory entry, is at paybillke.com/paybill/absa-bank.
- To send M-PESA to other banks, see send M-PESA to KCB, Co-op, Equity, or any bank.
- To repay an Absa Timiza loan (not a bank deposit), see how to repay a Timiza loan.