📑 In this guide
Ever been in a situation where a friend or family member needs airtime urgently, but you have extra on your line? That's exactly what Sambaza is for – Safaricom's airtime transfer service that lets you share your balance with anyone on the network.
In this guide, we'll walk you through three simple ways to Sambaza airtime – using USSD, the MySafaricom App, and SMS. We'll also cover fees, limits, and common mistakes to avoid. Plus, we'll show you how to use your Sambaza savings to buy cheap data bundles from Bingwa Data!
What is Sambaza Airtime?
Sambaza (Swahili for "share") is Safaricom's airtime transfer service. It allows postpaid and prepaid customers to send airtime from their balance to any other Safaricom number. The recipient receives the airtime instantly and can use it for calls, SMS, or data bundles.
📌 Key Fact: Sambaza works only between Safaricom numbers. You cannot send airtime to Airtel or Telkom lines using this service.
Method 1: Using USSD (*140#)
The USSD method is the fastest and most popular way to Sambaza. Here's how:
- Dial *140# on your Safaricom line and press send.
- Select Option 1 (Send Airtime).
- Enter the recipient's Safaricom phone number (without spaces, e.g., 0712345678).
- Enter the amount you want to send (between Ksh 5 and Ksh 5,000).
- Confirm the transaction. The system will show you the total cost (amount + fee).
- Enter your MPESA PIN (yes, it uses M-PESA PIN for security).
- You'll receive a confirmation SMS. The recipient also gets a notification.
⚡ Quick Reference
| USSD Code | *140# |
| Menu Path | Option 1 (Send Airtime) |
| Minimum Amount | Ksh 5 |
| Maximum Amount | Ksh 5,000 per transaction |
Method 2: Using MySafaricom App
If you prefer a visual interface, the MySafaricom App is a great alternative:
- Step 1: Open the MySafaricom App and log in with your PIN or biometrics.
- Step 2: On the home dashboard, tap "Send Airtime" or "Sambaza".
- Step 3: Enter the recipient's phone number and the amount.
- Step 4: Review the fee and tap "Confirm".
- Step 5: Enter your M-PESA PIN to complete the transaction.
💡 Pro Tip: The app saves your frequently contacted numbers, making repeat Sambaza even faster.
Method 3: Using SMS
For those who prefer text, there's an SMS option – though it's less commonly used:
- Open your SMS app and create a new message.
- Type: SAMB [AMOUNT] [PHONE_NUMBER]
Example:SAMB 50 0712345678 - Send the SMS to 140.
- You'll receive a reply asking you to confirm the transaction.
- Reply with your M-PESA PIN to complete.
⚠️ Note: Standard SMS rates apply to this service, so ensure you have at least 1 shilling of real airtime to send the message.
Fees, Limits & Important Rules
Before you Sambaza, here's what you need to know about the costs and restrictions:
| Amount Sent | Transaction Fee | Total Deducted |
|---|---|---|
| Ksh 10 | Ksh 1 | Ksh 11 |
| Ksh 20 | Ksh 2 | Ksh 22 |
| Ksh 50 | Ksh 3 | Ksh 53 |
| Ksh 100 | Ksh 5 | Ksh 105 |
| Ksh 500 | Ksh 10 | Ksh 510 |
- Daily Limit: You can Sambaza a maximum of Ksh 10,000 per day.
- Per Transaction Limit: Up to Ksh 5,000 per transfer.
- Recipient Balance: The recipient must not exceed the maximum airtime balance of Ksh 500,000 (network limit).
- Postpaid Customers: Can also Sambaza, but the amount is charged to their monthly bill.
Can You Sambaza Bundles or Minutes?
Short answer: No. Safaricom's Sambaza service only allows transfer of airtime, not data bundles or voice minutes. However, the recipient can use the received airtime to buy their own bundles via USSD or from platforms like Bingwa Data.
💡 Smarter Alternative: Instead of sending airtime directly, you can buy a bundle from Bingwa Data and send the activation code to your friend. This way, they get more data for less money – and you don't pay Sambaza fees! Visit datasokoni.com to browse all 42+ bundles.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can Sambaza airtime using three methods: dial *140# and follow the prompts, use the MySafaricom App and select 'Send Airtime', or send an SMS with 'SAMB AMOUNT PHONE' (e.g., SAMB 50 0712345678) to 140.
The USSD code for Sambaza airtime on Safaricom is *140#. Dial it and select the option to send airtime, then enter the recipient's phone number and the amount.
No. Safaricom does not allow Sambaza for minutes. You can only transfer airtime (which the recipient can use to buy minutes or data). Some networks like Airtel also only allow airtime transfer.
Safaricom charges a small transaction fee for Sambaza, which is deducted from the sender's balance. For example, sending Ksh 50 may cost Ksh 53 total (Ksh 50 + Ksh 3 fee). Check *140# for the exact fee before confirming.