How does airtime to cash work?
Airtime-to-cash services convert your prepaid mobile airtime into cash or mobile money. You send airtime to a platform or agent, and they pay you back at a discounted rate (typically 70-85% of face value). The discount is their profit margin.
Why do I lose 15-30% of the value?
Airtime resellers must sell the airtime to someone else and cover operational costs. The 15-30% discount covers their risk (airtime is non-refundable), processing fees, and profit margin. Higher demand operators (like MTN in Nigeria) often have better rates.
Is converting airtime to cash legal?
In most African countries, airtime-to-cash is in a regulatory grey area. Operators generally discourage it in their terms of service, but it is widely practiced and rarely enforced. Some mobile money services now offer official airtime-to-cash features.
How can I get the best rate?
Compare multiple platforms before converting. Rates vary by operator, amount, and time of day. Larger amounts sometimes get better rates. Established apps and agents typically offer better rates than informal WhatsApp groups. Avoid sending airtime before confirming payment.