In this article, we will reveal all the ways in which you can borrow airtime on Safaricom, Airtel, or Equitel in Kenya.
Safaricom: Okoa Jahazi
Okoa Jahazi is a credit facility that allows eligible Safaricom Prepay subscribers in Kenya to borrow airtime advances when their balance falls below Kshs 5/-. Safaricom charges a 10% advance fee, meaning the credited amount is 90% of the requested amount.
The Okoa Jahazi service was launched in Kenya on June 14, 2018.
Eligibility
This service is available to Safaricom Prepay subscribers who:
- Use Okoa Jahazi and repay within the required timeframe.
- Have an average monthly airtime usage of Kshs 500 and above.
How to Borrow
To subscribe, dial *131# or 4562#, select “Auto-Okoa,” choose “Subscribe,” and select the amount you want to borrow. Subscribers will receive a confirmation SMS upon successful subscription.
When the airtime balance falls below Kshs 5/-, the chosen Okoa Jahazi amount will be credited automatically, with a confirmation message sent to the user.
Repayment
- The entire outstanding credit is deducted upon the next top-up.
- A repayment confirmation message will be sent.
- The credit must be repaid within five (5) days to avoid a 24-hour blacklist.
Privacy
Safaricom collects and protects personal information under the Data Protection Act. Customers can access the Safaricom Data Privacy Statement online or via customer care channels.
Multiple Okoa Jahazi Feature
- Users can borrow multiple times based on the previous week’s usage. Talk and Browse More Without Paying Okoa Jahazi Debt
- The repayment period remains five (5) days.
- Customers can check their borrowing limit by dialing *131#.
- New customers can borrow after 14 days of being active on the network.
Airtel: Kopa Credo
Kopa Credo enables Airtel prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime or bundles by dialing *544#. Borrowed airtime can be used for calls, SMS, and bundle purchases.
Eligibility
- Must be a registered Airtel subscriber.
- Must repay previous loans before requesting new ones.
- Suspended or deactivated subscribers are ineligible.
Service Charges
Airtel charges a 10% service fee on all borrowed amounts. Example breakdown:
| Kopa Credo | Customer Airtime | Service Fee | Amount to be Recovered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 9 | 1 | 10 |
| 50 | 45 | 5 | 50 |
| 100 | 90 | 10 | 100 |
Repayment
- Airtime advances are repaid upon the next recharge.
- Airtel reserves the right to deduct repayments automatically.
- Borrowed airtime cannot be canceled after request submission.
Additional Terms
- Airtel may change service terms and fees at its discretion.
- Service quality may be affected by network conditions.
- Airtel stores and analyzes user data for service eligibility and improvements.
Equitel: Jiokolee Credo
Jiokolee Credo is Equitel’s airtime advance service, allowing prepaid subscribers to borrow airtime in denominations of Kshs 10 and above by dialing *740#.
Eligibility
Subscribers must:
- Be registered and active on Equitel telephony and M-banking.
- Have been active for at least 90 days.
- Repay previous Jiokolee Credo advances before borrowing again.
To check eligibility, dial *740# > Select option 9 (Help) > Option 1 (Eligibility).
How to Borrow
- Dial *740#.
- Select preferred amount.
- Confirm the request.
- Receive a confirmation SMS upon successful crediting.
Repayment
- A 10% service fee applies (e.g., borrowing Kshs 50 gives you Kshs 45, but you owe Kshs 50).
- Repayment occurs upon the next airtime top-up.
- Jiokolee Credo airtime can be repaid via any airtime received, including Gawa Credo.
By using these services, subscribers can ensure they stay connected even when their airtime runs low.
