Pay electricity bill via M-Pesa: a quick guide

Introduction

M-Pesa is a widely used mobile money service that lets you pay bills, transfer funds, and top up your balance using just a mobile phone. This guide explains how you can pay your electricity bill with M-Pesa. Keep in mind that the exact steps can vary by country, provider, and the specific M-Pesa service you use.

What is M-Pesa

M-Pesa turns your phone into a payment tool, enabling rapid, cash-like transactions without visiting a utility office. Many electricity providers support payments via M-Pesa through a dedicated biller name, code, or short reference.

Step-by-step: paying your electricity bill via M-Pesa

Prerequisites

• An active M-Pesa account (and, if applicable, the M-Pesa app)
• Your electricity bill with the customer or account number
• The biller name or biller code for your electricity provider (as required)

The payment flow

1. Open the M-Pesa app or the USSD/phone menu your country uses
2. Select Pay Bill or Lipa Na M-Pesa (the wording may vary by region)
3. Enter the biller name or code and your electricity account number
4. Enter the amount you want to pay (or confirm the due amount shown on your bill)
5. Confirm the transaction and enter your M-Pesa PIN
6. Save the receipt or note the transaction reference number for your records

After payment

• Look for a payment confirmation via SMS or in-app notification
• Check your electricity account or portal to confirm the payment is posted and the balance is updated

Tips and common issues

• Double-check the biller code, account number, and payment amount before confirming
• Use the official M-Pesa app or the trusted USSD option to avoid phishing or spoofed services
• Save or screenshot the payment receipt/reference number until the bill shows as paid
• If a payment fails, wait a few minutes and retry, or contact your M-Pesa provider or electricity biller support for assistance

Conclusion

Using M-Pesa to pay electricity bills can be fast and convenient once you’re familiar with the steps. Always verify the biller details and keep a receipt for your records.