CBE Birr: How to use the efficient mobile banking service

CBE Birr is a new mobile banking service, provided by Commercial bank of Ethiopia (CBE) that gives its users the opportunity to manage their finances from the convenience of their mobile device. This is a great way to save time and money. However, it’s important to know how to use this service in order to maximize your efficiency and avoid any glitches that may come up while using the app. So read on to learn how to use the CBE Birr mobile banking app to your advantage!

What is CBE-birr?

CBE Birr is a mobile banking service provided by the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia via banking agents. It is a type of pre-paid account that allows a user to save money for future transactions. CBE Birr can be used to pay for DSTV, groceries, sports betting, water, electricity, and other utility payments, online purchases, and flight tickets, among other things. A four-digit PIN is used to protect the CBE birr account. And a CBE birr account can only be operated by the phone number using which it is opened.

How to open a CBE birr account?

Opening a CBE-birr account is pretty simple and can be done in a matter of minutes. 

All you need to do is 

1. Go to a nearby branch of the Commercial bank of Ethiopia. 
2. You will be asked to provide your Phone number, and CBE bank book or a valid ID. 
3. Fill out a CBE Birr deposit form and deposit any amount of cash. 
4. Receive your PIN code, which you can use to access your account.

How to use CBE Birr?

There are two different ways to use CBE-birr, the first is by using the *847# USSD code, and the second is by downloading the CBE-birr mobile app.

Download CBE Birr for - Android phones             - Apple phones

It is recommended to use the CBE-birr mobile app than the USSD code because the mobile app is faster, easy to use, and more efficient.

Using CBE birr through USSD code

The USSD code assigned to access the CBE-birr service is *847#. Upon dialing *847# you will see the following options From this menu, you can choose the service you want.

How to Use CBE Birr USSD code to Pay Water Bill

To be able to pay your monthly water utility bills by using CBE birr, you will need to be registered for the service by going to the office of your water service provider. 

If your water provider is Addis Ababa water and sewerage authority (AAWSA), you will need your town/city water service provided code which is “878787”, and Your bill reference number, which you can get from the previous payment bills. 

If you have these just follow the following procedure; 

1. Dial *847# 
2. Select 5 for Pay Bill 
3. Select 2 (Input shortcode) 
4. Enter 878787 5. Enter your bill reference number
5. Confirm payment by pressing 1
6. Enter your CBE birr PIN number 

1. Dial *847# 
2. Select 5 for Pay Bill 
3. Select 3 (Derash) 
4. Select your town/city from the list. (Press next if you can’t find your town or city) 
5. Enter your bill reference number 
6. Confirm payment by pressing 1 
7. Enter your CBE birr PIN number

How to Use CBE Birr USSD code to Pay Ethio-Telecom post-paid Bill

1. Dial *847#
2. Select 5 for Pay Bill. 
3. Select 4 (EthioTelecom Postpaid)
4. Select 1 to pay for fixed phone number or select 2 to pay using account number for Wi-Fi service
5. If you selected 1 on step 4, enter the phone number. If you selected 2, enter the account code from your EthioTelecom contract. 
6. When asked to confirm the payment, Reply 1. 
7. Enter your CBE birr PIN number to finish the payment.

How to Use CBE Birr USSD code to Pay DSTV Bill

To pay for your monthly DSTV subscription fee, you will need your bill reference number (Contract number), which you can easily find on your previous DSTV bill. After you get that number follow the simple procedure below; 

1. Dial *847#
2. Select 5 for Pay Bill
3. Select 2 (Input Short Code)
4. Enter 888100 (DSTV Africa Ethiopia short code).
5. Enter your bill reference number
6. Confirm payment by entering 1
7. Finally, enter your CBE-Birr PIN number.

How to Use CBE Birr to Pay Ethiopian Traffic Charges Bill

This service is currently available only for Addis Ababa City Transport Authority. You will need Addis Ababa City Transport Authority short code which is “979797”. 

1. Dial *847# 
2. Select 5 for Pay Bill. 
3. Select 2 as the Input Short Code.
4. Enter 979797
5. Enter your Bill Reference number 
6. Confirm payment by entering 1 
7. Finally enter your CBE-Birr PIN number.

Using CBE birr through the mobile app

The CBE birr mobile app is pretty straightforward and very easy to use. All you’ll need is the necessary codes to complete transactions. If you are from Addis Ababa, you will need the following CBE birr codes to complete bill payments; a. Addis Ababa Water and Sewerage Authority: 878787 b. Addis Ababa Electric Utility: 707070 c. DSTV: 888100 d. Traffic Charges: 979797 If you lost access to your CBE birr account for some reason, you can call 951 and contact a Commercial Bank of Ethiopia operator, after you explain your issue a new PIN number will be sent to you via text message.

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