SMS Country Information Guide: Africa (M-Z)

Madagascar

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Madagascar Phone Number: Yes

• Madagascar Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): Yes

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Malawi

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Malawi Phone Number: Yes

• Malawi Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): Yes

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Mali

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Mali Phone Number: Yes

• Mali Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): Yes

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Mauritania

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Mauritania Phone Number: Yes

• Mauritania Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: Dynamic sender IDs fully supported

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Mauritius

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Mauritius Phone Number: Yes

• Mauritius Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): Yes

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Morocco

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Morocco Phone Number: Yes

• Morocco Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): Yes

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: This market has Local and International traffic segmentation

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Mozambique

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Mozambique Phone Number: Yes

• Mozambique Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): Yes

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: This market has Local and International traffic segmentation. Local traffic requires sender ID registration

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Namibia

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed to a random short code by operators)

• Namibia Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed to a random short code by operators)

• Namibia Short Code: Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed to a random short code by operators)

• International Phone Number: Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed to a random short code by operators)

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): Yes (Note: Your sender ID will be changed to a random short code by operators)

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Niger

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way short code

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Niger Phone Number: No

• Niger Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Nigeria

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Nigeria Phone Number: Yes

• Nigeria Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes:

• Local traffic requires registration

• International traffic is Alpha dynamic

• Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for Banking and Financial traffic

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Rwanda

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Rwanda Phone Number: No

• Rwanda Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: This market has Local and International traffic segmentation

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Sao Tome and Principe

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Sao Tome and Principe Phone Number: Yes

• Sao Tome and Principe Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Senegal

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Senegal Phone Number: Yes

• Senegal Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: Local registration is required

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Seychelles

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Seychelles Phone Number: Yes

• Seychelles Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Sierra Leone

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Sierra Leone Phone Number: Yes

• Sierra Leone Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Somalia

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Somalia Phone Number: Yes

• Somalia Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

South Africa

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• South Africa Phone Number: No

• South Africa Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: This market has Local and International traffic segmentation

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

South Sudan

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• South Sudan Phone Number: No

• South Sudan Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: This market has Local and International traffic segmentation

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Sudan

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Sudan Phone Number: No

• Sudan Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes: This market has Local and International traffic segmentation

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Swaziland (Eswatini)

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): No

• Swaziland Phone Number: No

• Swaziland Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Tanzania

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Tanzania Phone Number: No

• Tanzania Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Additional Notes:

• This market has Local and International traffic segmentation

• Letter of Authorization (LOA) is required for sender ID registration

• Must include brand name inside the SMS content for Airtel network

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Togo

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Togo Phone Number: Yes

• Togo Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Tunisia

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Tunisia Phone Number: No

• Tunisia Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Uganda

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Uganda Phone Number: Yes

• Uganda Short Code: Yes

• International Phone Number: Yes

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: Yes

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Zambia

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: SMS with a two-way long number

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Zambia Phone Number: No

• Zambia Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: Yes

• Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations

Zimbabwe

Best Messaging Channels by Use Case (Bird's Recommendations)

• Transactional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Promotional SMS: Alphanumeric Sender ID (e.g., "YourBrand")

• Two-Way Conversations: WhatsApp (You can use your existing number or get a new one from Bird)

Sender Types Supported

• Alphanumeric Sender ID (Business names like "Bird" or "Netflix" that send one-way messages): Yes

• Zimbabwe Phone Number: No

• Zimbabwe Short Code: No

• International Phone Number: No

• Generic Sender ID (Sender IDs that don't clearly identify your brand): No

Restrictions

• Operator Registration Required: No

• Generic URL Shortening: No (Only branded URL shortening like yourbrand.link is allowed)

• Quiet Hours/Do Not Disturb: No

Opt-out Rules: No specific opt-out regulations