Airtel is one of the leading 4G telecommunications companies in Africa, providing its customers with various services, including voice, data, and SMS. One of the unique features offered by Airtel is the ability to borrow airtime, which is known as Airtel Extra Credit.
This feature is especially helpful when you run out of credit and need to make an urgent call or send a text message. However, not many Airtel customers are aware of how to borrow airtime or the conditions attached to it.
In this article, we will guide you through the steps involved in borrowing airtime from Airtel, the charges involved, and other important information you need to know about the service.
So, whether you are a new or existing Airtel customer, this article will provide you with everything you need to know about borrowing airtime from Airtel.
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How to borrow airtime from Airtel
To borrow airtime on Airtel, simply dial *500*amount you want to borrow# on your phone. For instance, if you want to borrow N100, dial *500*200#.
However, you can also dial *500# and follow the prompt to know your airtime loan eligibility. On a successful request, wait for a message confirming that your request is being processed, and in a few minutes, you will receive the borrowed airtime.
However, if you do not meet the requirements, you will receive a message requesting that you recharge more to qualify.
Airtel Extra Credit ~ Interest Rate
The Airtel Extra Credit has a service charge of 15% on all borrowed amounts except for N25 which has a service charge of 20%. This means that when you recharge your line next, the borrowed amount plus the service charge will be deducted.
Airtel Extra Credit is a useful feature that enables you to stay connected when you need to make important calls or send messages in an emergency.
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Airtel Extra Credit Eligibility
To qualify for the Airtel extra credit, the following requirements must be met:
- Your Airtel SIM must be registered
- Your SIM must have been active for at least 3 months
- A minimum of N250 per month
- You must not have any pending credit loans to be cleared
How to borrow Data from Airtel
To borrow data on Airtel, follow these simple steps:
- Dial *500# on your phone
- When prompted, reply with option 3 to borrow data
- A list of data bundles you qualify for will be displayed
- Select the data bundle of your choice, ranging from as low as 10MB to as high as 1TB
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- After selecting your preferred data bundle, it will be activated in no time.
In Conclusion
Borrowing airtime on Airtel is a simple and convenient solution for those times when you need to make urgent calls or send important messages but don’t have enough airtime on your line. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily borrow airtime on your Airtel line and pay it back later with a 15% to 20% interest rate.

Ken Anucha studied Information Technology at Sikkim Manipal University. He is a gaming and sports enthusiast whose aim is to keep folks in these spheres thoroughly informed and up-to-date.