Bulk SMS Pricing AfricaSMS, WhatsApp API & USSD rates

Compare bulk SMS pricing Africa from €0.0060 per SMS across 50+ African markets. SMS API pricing, WhatsApp API pricing, and USSD pricing Africa - pay-as-you-go, no hidden fees.

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SMS from €0.0060/message WhatsApp API pricing for African senders USSD & short codes on African networks

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Bulk SMSFrom €0.006/SMS WhatsApp APIAfrica-wide API Short CodesTwo-way SMS USSDInteractive menus Other ServicesIntegrations & more

Bulk SMS pricing Africa

SMS cost per message by African country

Pay-as-you-go SMS API pricing in EUR by destination. Select a row to estimate a campaign, or open a country page for local-currency volume plans.

Destination	SMS cost per message	Local plans
	€0.0280	Local pricing
	€0.0350	Local pricing
	€0.0141	On request
	€0.0180	Local pricing
	€0.0215	On request
	€0.0260	Local pricing
	€0.0320	Local pricing
	€0.0240	Local pricing
	€0.0110	Local pricing
	€0.0150	Local pricing
	€0.0370	On request
	€0.0082	Local pricing
	€0.0060	Local pricing
	€0.0120	On request
	€0.0160	On request
	€0.0197	On request
	€0.0388	On request
	€0.0380	Local pricing
	€0.0250	Local pricing
	€0.0080	Local pricing
	€0.0100	Local pricing
	€0.0111	Local pricing
	€0.0115	Local pricing
	€0.0095	Local pricing
	€0.0220	Local pricing
	€0.0120	Local pricing
	€0.0085	Local pricing
	€0.0220	Local pricing

Coverage extends beyond this list to 50+ African markets. Explore SMS gateway Africa coverage.

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Estimate your SMS cost

SMS API pricing for outbound messages to Kenya.

Destination country

Send

€0.0060

per SMS · billed in EUR

Messages

0 - 1,000,000

Estimated price

€60.00

Local currency estimate

PULSE tier · KES 0.50/SMS

KES 5,000.00

Indicative outbound total in EUR. Inbound MO rates and volume discounts are quoted on request.

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Sending beyond Africa? For international pricing, request a callback and we will quote the destination.

WhatsApp API pricing

WhatsApp API pricing for African businesses

Engage customers on WhatsApp across African markets with branded messaging, campaigns, bots, and API access. Monthly plans and Meta template rates below are Kenya starting figures - the same WhatsApp Business API is available with local billing elsewhere.

One-off fees

Set Up Cost

Per mobile number (one-time)

KES 15,000

WhatsApp API · Monthly fees

Choose your WhatsApp plan

All plans include API access, message reporting, scripted bots, customer support, and 1,000 free conversations. Template message costs are billed separately.

Basic

KES15,000

per month

20 campaigns
50,000 messages
10,000 contacts
15 auto replies
2 users / agents
One WhatsApp number
One training session
Scripted bot included
Customer support

Get Started

Pro

KES30,000

per month

30 campaigns
500,000 messages
100,000 contacts
30 auto replies
5 users / agents
Two WhatsApp numbers
Two training sessions
AI bots included
Technical account manager

Get Started

Enterprise

KES60,000

per month

Unlimited campaigns
1 Million messages
500,000 contacts
100 auto replies
10 users / agents
Seven WhatsApp numbers
Three training sessions
AI bots included
Technical account manager

Get Started

Note: The above monthly pricing does not include any campaign or template message costs. Additional users or agents can be added at KES 2,000 per seat on any plan.

WhatsApp API · Template pricing

Per-message template rates

Template messages are charged separately from your monthly plan, based on Meta's conversation categories.

Marketing

KES 3.525

per message

Promotional campaigns, offers, and re-engagement messages

Utility

KES 1.12

per message

Order updates, account alerts, and transactional notifications

Authentication

KES 1.12

per message

OTP codes and identity verification messages

Service

Free

per message

Customer-initiated support conversations within the 24-hour window

Frequently asked questions

What is included in the monthly plan fee?

Monthly plans cover platform access, campaign limits, message quotas, contacts, auto-replies, user seats, reporting, bots, training, and WhatsApp numbers as listed per tier. Template message costs are billed separately.

Are template message costs included in the monthly fee?

No. Monthly plan pricing does not include campaign or template message costs. Marketing, Utility, and Authentication templates are charged per message at the rates shown in our template pricing table.

What is the one-time setup cost?

WhatsApp Business API setup costs KES 15,000 per mobile number. This is a one-off fee charged when your WhatsApp number is provisioned.

What are the 1,000 free conversations?

Each plan includes 1,000 free conversations as applicable under Meta's conversation-based pricing model. Service conversations initiated by customers are free within the support window.

Can I add more agents to my plan?

Yes. Additional users or agents can be added to any plan at KES 2,000 per seat.

Short code pricing

Short code pricing across African networks

Two-way SMS short codes for voting, subscriptions, and premium services. Dedicated and shared options are available across African operators. Kenya network fees below are the published starting reference.

Dedicated Short Code

Get your own exclusive 5-digit short code for complete brand control and unlimited keywords.

Exclusive to your business
Unlimited keywords
Premium branding
Higher credibility

Shared Short Code

Cost-effective option using a shared short code with your unique keyword(s).

Lower setup costs
Quick deployment
Ideal for startups
Flexible scaling

1Monthly Maintenance (Per Network)

Service Type	Monthly Fee (Excl. VAT)	Monthly Fee (Incl. VAT)
Dedicated Short CodeYour exclusive 5-digit code	KES 15,000	KES 17,400
Shared Short CodeShared code with unique keyword	KES 3,000	KES 3,480

2One-Time Setup Fees (Per Network)

Setup Type	Setup Fee (Excl. VAT)	Setup Fee (Incl. VAT)
Dedicated Short Code SetupOne-time configuration fee	KES 10,000	KES 11,600
Shared Short Code SetupOne-time configuration fee	KES 5,000	KES 5,800

3SMS Usage Rates (MO & MT)

SMS Bundle Range	Rate per SMS (KES)	Networks
500 - 4,999	KES 0.65	All Networks
5,000 - 19,999	KES 0.60	All Networks
20,000 - 99,999	KES 0.50	All Networks
100,000 - 399,999	KES 0.40	All Networks
400,000+	KES 0.35	All Networks

MO (Mobile Originated): Messages sent FROM customers TO your short code

MT (Mobile Terminated): Messages sent FROM your short code TO customers

4Premium Billing (Optional)

Monetize Your SMS Service

Charge customers KES 10 per SMS or set your own custom rate
Automatic billing integrated with mobile operators
Revenue sharing model after operator deductions
Perfect for premium content, voting, subscriptions, and contests

5Onboarding Requirements

Total costs required to get started with short code services:

Dedicated Short Code

Setup Fee

One-time configuration cost

KES 11,600

First Month Maintenance

Monthly recurring fee

KES 17,400

One-Month Deposit

Refundable security deposit

KES 17,400

Total to Start

KES 46,400

Shared Short Code

Setup Fee

One-time configuration cost

KES 5,800

First Month Maintenance

Monthly recurring fee

KES 3,480

One-Month Deposit

Refundable security deposit

KES 3,480

Total to Start

KES 12,760

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to set up a short code?

Shared short codes can be activated within 3-5 business days. Dedicated short codes typically take 2-4 weeks depending on operator approval processes.

What's the difference between dedicated and shared short codes?

A dedicated short code is exclusively yours - you get your own 5-digit number with unlimited keywords. A shared short code uses a shared number with your unique keyword(s), making it more cost-effective for smaller businesses.

What are MO and MT messages?

MO (Mobile Originated) messages are sent FROM customers TO your short code. MT (Mobile Terminated) messages are sent FROM your short code TO customers. Both types enable two-way communication.

Can I use short codes for premium services?

Yes, short codes are perfect for premium SMS services, voting, subscriptions, and other value-added services. We can help you set up premium billing and content delivery.

USSD pricing

USSD pricing Africa - interactive menus on every phone

USSD works without internet - mobile banking, surveys, and customer service on feature phones as well as smartphones. Operator tables below are Kenya starting rates; USSD pricing Africa for other markets is quoted by our team.

Dedicated USSD

Get your own exclusive USSD short code (e.g., *123#) for complete control and branding.

Exclusive short code
Full menu customization
Maximum brand visibility
Available on all networks

Shared USSD

Cost-effective option using a shared USSD code with your unique menu path.

Lower setup costs
Quick deployment
Ideal for startups
Easy to scale up

1Dedicated USSD Short Codes (Per Network)

Safaricom

Fee Type	Excl. VAT	Incl. VAT
Connection Setup One-time setup fee	KES 150,000	KES 174,000
Test Bed Monthly testing environment	KES 20,000	KES 23,200
Monthly Rental Recurring monthly fee	KES 50,000	KES 58,000
Deposit 2 months refundable deposit	KES 100,000	KES 116,000

Airtel

Fee Type	Excl. VAT	Incl. VAT
Connection Setup One-time setup fee	KES 120,000	KES 139,200
Monthly Rental Recurring monthly fee	KES 50,000	KES 58,000
Deposit 1 month refundable deposit	KES 50,000	KES 58,000

Total to Start (Setup + Monthly + Deposit)KES 255,200

Telkom

Fee Type	Excl. VAT	Incl. VAT
Connection Setup One-time setup fee	KES 100,000	KES 116,000
Monthly Rental Recurring monthly fee	KES 40,000	KES 46,400
Deposit 1 month refundable deposit	KES 40,000	KES 46,400

Total to Start (Setup + Monthly + Deposit)KES 208,800

Equitel

Fee Type	Excl. VAT	Incl. VAT
Connection Setup One-time setup fee	KES 55,000	KES 63,800
Monthly Rental Recurring monthly fee	KES 15,000	KES 17,400
Deposit 1 month refundable deposit	KES 15,000	KES 17,400

Total to Start (Setup + Monthly + Deposit)KES 98,600

2Shared USSD Short Codes (Per Network)

Cost-Effective USSD Solution

Recommended for Startups

Fee Type	Amount (Excl. VAT)	Amount (Incl. VAT)
Connection SetupOne-time setup per network	KES 10,000	KES 11,600
Monthly RentalRecurring monthly fee per network	KES 10,000	KES 11,600
Deposit1 month refundable deposit	KES 10,000	KES 11,600

Total to Start Per Network (Setup + Monthly + Deposit)KES 34,800

3Additional Costs

Menu Development

USSD Menu Development & Admin DashboardKES 140,000

Custom menu structure & admin dashboard

Custom menu design
Admin dashboard
User management
Reporting features

Hosting & Sessions

Monthly HostingKES 5,000

USSD Session ChargeKES 1.00

Per session pricing for user interactions

Reliable hosting
99.9% uptime
Scalable infrastructure
Technical support

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between dedicated and shared USSD?

A dedicated USSD gives you your own exclusive short code (e.g., *123#) for complete brand control. Shared USSD uses a shared code with your unique menu path, making it more affordable for startups and smaller businesses.

How long does USSD setup take?

Shared USSD can be set up within 5-7 business days. Dedicated USSD typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on network operator approval processes.

Do users need internet to access USSD?

No, USSD works on all phones without internet connection. Users simply dial the USSD code (e.g., *123#) from their phone's dialer to access your service.

What is a USSD session charge?

A USSD session charge is applied each time a user initiates a USSD session by dialing your code. This is separate from the monthly rental fee and varies by network operator.

Need a quote for another African market?

Tell us where you send - Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa or beyond - and we will match bulk SMS, WhatsApp, USSD and short-code pricing to that market.

Request Callback Chat on WhatsApp

Bulk SMS pricing Africa - frequently asked questions

How much does bulk SMS cost in Africa?

Bulk SMS pricing Africa starts from about €0.006 per message depending on the destination country. SMS cost per message is pay-as-you-go by route - Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and other markets each have their own rate. Use the calculator on this page to estimate a send.

Is Celcom Africa pricing only for Kenya?

No. This page covers bulk SMS, WhatsApp API pricing, USSD pricing Africa, and SMS API pricing for teams sending across the continent. Kenya figures for WhatsApp, USSD and short codes are published starting rates - the same products are available in other African markets with local billing.

Can I pay in local African currencies?

Yes. You can bill in EUR, USD, KES, NGN, GHS, UGX, TZS, ZAR and other local currencies, including mobile money where available. Country pages show local-currency volume plans for Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Zambia and Senegal.

Do SMS credits expire?

No. SMS credits never expire. Purchase once and use them whenever you send, in any covered African market.

What's the difference between Bulk SMS and Short Codes?

Bulk SMS is one-way messaging from your business to customers using a sender ID. Short codes enable two-way SMS on a 5-digit number - useful for voting, subscriptions, and premium services. Both are available across African networks; published short-code tables below are Kenya starting rates.

Do you offer volume discounts?

Yes. Per-message rates improve as your volume grows, and enterprise SMS pricing is available for high-volume senders. Contact us for committed-volume quotes above 400,000 SMS per month.

Bulk SMS Pricing AfricaSMS, WhatsApp API & USSD rates

SMS cost per message by African country

Estimate your SMS cost

WhatsApp API pricing for African businesses

Set Up Cost

Choose your WhatsApp plan

Basic

Pro

Enterprise

Per-message template rates

Marketing

Utility

Authentication

Service

Frequently asked questions

Short code pricing across African networks

Dedicated Short Code

Shared Short Code

1Monthly Maintenance (Per Network)

2One-Time Setup Fees (Per Network)

3SMS Usage Rates (MO & MT)

4Premium Billing (Optional)

Monetize Your SMS Service

5Onboarding Requirements

Frequently asked questions

USSD pricing Africa - interactive menus on every phone

Dedicated USSD

Shared USSD

1Dedicated USSD Short Codes (Per Network)

Safaricom

Airtel

Telkom

Equitel

2Shared USSD Short Codes (Per Network)

Cost-Effective USSD Solution

3Additional Costs

Menu Development

Hosting & Sessions

Frequently asked questions

Integrations & add-ons for African operators

Till/Paybill Integration

Reseller White Labelling

Need a quote for another African market?

Bulk SMS pricing Africa - frequently asked questions