Bulk SMS · SMS API integration
A Bulk SMS API you can wire into your system in an afternoon.
Send SMS straight from your website, app, ERP or billing system. Our HTTP API takes a JSON request, returns a message ID and cost for every number, and pushes delivery reports back to your server, so your system always knows what happened to each message.
What’s included
What SMS API integration covers
- 01
Send over HTTPS
POST a JSON request with your API key, sender ID, recipient and message to the sendsms endpoint on bulk.ndovubase.com.
- 02
Per-message responses
Every request returns a status code, message ID, the recipient’s network, the cost of the message and your remaining balance.
- 03
Delivery reports by callback
Set a callback URL in the portal and delivery reports are pushed to your server as they arrive. You can also pull a report by message ID.
- 04
Clear status codes
Documented codes for every outcome, such as invalid number, invalid sender name or low credit, so your system can handle errors properly.
- 05
Two-way messaging on shortcodes
Inbound messages to your shortcode are posted to your endpoint as JSON, and you can reply in the same request.
- 06
Custom integrations
If your system needs SOAP, XML or another format, or the messaging system hosted on your own infrastructure, we can discuss a custom setup.
How it works
Three steps, no jargon.
- 1
Get your key
Create an account on the SMS platform, register your sender ID and generate an API key.
- 2
Integrate
Follow the public API documentation, send test messages and set your delivery-report callback URL.
- 3
Go live
Top up, switch your system to production and watch delivery reports come in. Our developers help if anything is unclear.
What you get
- API access on the same account and rates as the web dashboard
- Public API documentation with request and response examples
- Delivery reports pushed to your callback URL
- Help from our developers during integration
A good fit for
- E-commerce sites sending order and delivery updates
- SACCOs, lenders and schools sending statements, reminders and alerts
- Apps that send OTPs and account notifications
- Developers building SMS into a client’s system
Where is the API documentation?
It’s public at https://ndovubase-api-docs.netlify.app/. It covers sending messages, status codes, delivery reports and shortcode messaging, with JSON examples.
Does sending through the API cost more?
No. API messages are billed at the same rates as the dashboard, from KES 0.20 per SMS on Safaricom on the Max plan. All rates are on the pricing page and exclude VAT.
How do I get delivery reports?
The recommended way is to set a callback URL in the portal, so each delivery report is posted to your server automatically. You can also request a report for a single message ID.
Which programming languages can I use?
Any language that can make an HTTPS request, including PHP, Python, Node.js, Java and C#. The documentation shows cURL and PHP examples.
Can you build the integration for us?
Yes. If you don’t have a developer, our team can integrate SMS into your website or system as part of a development project.