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