SMS

Send SMS at scale with Sakura SMS APIs

One API, a few lines of code, and zero headaches -- that's all it takes to send and receive messages on the trusted platform for cross-channel messaging.

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Capabilities

Everything you need to send SMS in Tanzania

Direct MNO connections, real-time delivery receipts, and TCRA compliance built in from day one.

Instant Delivery

Direct SMPP connections to Vodacom, Tigo, Airtel, and Halotel deliver messages in 1-3 seconds with 99.9% uptime.

All 4 MNOs, One API

Intelligent routing across every Tanzanian mobile network. No need to manage separate connections or contracts.

TCRA Compliant

Built-in compliance with Tanzanian regulations. Opt-out management, time-of-day restrictions, and Sender ID registration handled for you.

Real-Time DLR

Delivery receipts pushed to your webhook within seconds. Track sent, delivered, and failed statuses for every message.

Developer experience

Send your first SMS in minutes

Clean RESTful API with SDKs for every major language. Comprehensive docs and code samples for common use cases.

Read the docsGet your API key
import { SakuraSMS } from "@sakura-sms/sdk";

const client = new SakuraSMS("sk_live_your_api_key");

const message = await client.messages.send({
  to: "+255712345678",
  from: "MYBRAND",
  body: "Your order #4821 has shipped. Track it here: https://track.example.com/4821",
});

console.log(message.sid); // msg_abc123
Use cases

SMS for every business need

From authentication to customer care, SMS is the most reliable channel for reaching customers across Tanzania.

Notifications

  • Payment confirmations
  • Appointment reminders
  • Shipping updates
  • System alerts

Verifications

  • One-time passwords
  • Sign-up confirmations
  • Transaction approvals
  • Fraud detection

Promotions

  • Targeted campaigns
  • Personalized offers
  • Scheduled sends
  • Conversion analytics

Conversational care

  • Two-way SMS support
  • Agent routing
  • Automated replies
  • Satisfaction tracking

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about sending SMS in Tanzania with Sakura SMS.

An SMS API is a set of programming interfaces that lets your application send and receive text messages programmatically. Instead of manually sending each message, your software makes HTTP requests to the Sakura SMS API, which handles routing, delivery, and status tracking across all Tanzanian MNOs.

Use our Programmable Messaging API to send bulk SMS. You can pass an array of recipients in a single API call, or use audience segments from your dashboard. Our platform handles throughput management, delivery optimization, and compliance checks automatically. There is no separate bulk endpoint -- the same API scales from one message to millions.

SMS marketing involves sending promotional messages to opted-in customers. With Sakura SMS, you create campaigns in your dashboard or via the API, target specific audience segments, personalize message content with template variables, and track delivery and engagement metrics in real time. All campaigns automatically comply with TCRA regulations and MNO time-of-day restrictions.

Install our SDK for your language (JavaScript, Python, PHP, Java, or Go), initialize the client with your API key, and call the send method. Most developers send their first message in under five minutes. Our REST API also works directly with any HTTP client if you prefer not to use an SDK.

When you send a message through Sakura SMS, we route it through our direct SMPP connections to Vodacom, Tigo, Airtel, and Halotel. The message is delivered to the recipient's handset, and the MNO sends a delivery receipt back to our platform, which we forward to your webhook URL. The entire process typically completes in 1-3 seconds.

An SMS gateway is the infrastructure that connects your application to mobile networks. Sakura SMS operates as a cloud-based SMS gateway with direct connections to all four Tanzanian MNOs. You interact with our REST API, and we handle the SMPP protocol, routing, and delivery negotiation with each operator.

In Tanzania, you can send SMS using alphanumeric Sender IDs (up to 11 characters, e.g. your brand name), numeric short codes, or dedicated long numbers. Sender IDs must be registered with TCRA through our platform. Registration typically takes 3-5 business days. You can use our shared Sender ID for testing while you wait for approval.

Ready to send SMS at scale?

Create your account, fund your wallet, and send your first message in under five minutes.

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