Developer API

SMS API in Kenya

Add SMS to your application in Kenya in minutes. The eSMS Africa SMS API delivers to Safaricom, Airtel & Telkom over direct routes, with delivery webhooks, OTP, sender IDs and a free sandbox to test before you go live.

Get API keys free Read the API docs

Direct routes to 3 networks Delivery reports KES 0.15 per SMS

Networks in Kenya

SafaricomAirtelTelkom

Country code

+254

État

Production

Pourquoi eSMS Africa

SMS API in Kenya, done properly

REST API + SMPP

Send with a simple HTTPS request or bind over SMPP for high throughput. Either way your Kenya traffic runs on the same direct routes to Safaricom, Airtel, Telkom.

Delivery webhooks (DLR)

Get a real-time callback for every message status - sent, delivered, failed - so your app always knows what happened to each SMS in Kenya.

Sandbox + SDKs

Test free in the sandbox, then go live with official Node, Python, PHP and Go SDKs. Example numbers for Kenya use the +254 country code.

Sender IDs & OTP

Step by step

How to send an SMS to Kenya with the API

1
Get your API key. Create an account and copy your API key from the dashboard.
2
Format the number. Use international format for Kenya numbers - they start with +254 (e.g. 254712345678).
3
Call the send endpoint. POST to https://api.esmsafrica.io/v1/sms/send with to, from and message.
4
Receive delivery reports. Set a webhook URL and eSMS Africa calls it with each message status in real time.
5
Go live. Test in the sandbox with a test key, then switch to your live key.

Integrate in minutes

Send your first SMS to Kenya

curl -X POST https://api.esmsafrica.io/v1/sms/send \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "to": "254712345678",
    "from": "MyBrand",
    "message": "Your message"
  }'

Full REST reference, SMPP details and SDKs for Node, Python, PHP and Go in the API documentation.

Local pricing

SMS API pricing in Kenya

Données de base

KES 1.08

per SMS

Entreprises

KES 0.9

per SMS

Entreprise

KES 0.15

per SMS

Prices reflect live rates for Kenya. See the full pricing page or contact sales for volume rates.

FAQ

SMS API in Kenya: common questions

How do I send an SMS to Kenya from my app?

POST to the eSMS Africa /sms/send endpoint with the recipient in international format (+254...) and your message. See the code samples on this page for curl, Node, Python and PHP.

Do you support delivery reports over the API?

Yes. Set a webhook URL and eSMS Africa calls it with the delivery status of every message to Kenya in real time.

REST or SMPP for Kenya?

Use REST for most applications; use SMPP when you need very high, sustained throughput. Both reach Safaricom, Airtel & Telkom on direct routes.

Is there a sandbox?

Yes - a free sandbox and test API keys let you integrate and test SMS to Kenya without spending credit.

Which SDKs are available?

Official SDKs for Node.js, Python, PHP and Go, plus a documented REST API you can call from any language.