If your customers are mostly on Safaricom, you’ll want your system to send SMS automatically — receipts, OTPs, reminders. There are two ways to do it: integrate directly with Safaricom, or use a bulk SMS provider’s API that delivers to Safaricom (and every other network).
Option 1: Integrate directly with Safaricom
A direct integration typically involves:
- Applying to Safaricom as a partner and meeting its onboarding and commercial requirements.
- Holding the relevant licensing from the Communications Authority of Kenya.
- Building to Safaricom’s technical interface (for example SMPP or its partner API), often with a VPN or whitelisted connection.
- Buying SMS in upfront bundles — from 25,000 SMS, valid 60 days, per Safaricom’s published tariff.
- Repeating the process separately for Airtel and Telkom if you need them.
This makes sense for organisations sending millions of messages a month with a dedicated technical team.
Option 2: Use a provider’s API
With a provider such as Connect Media, you integrate once with a simple HTTPS API and reach Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom numbers from the same call:
curl -X POST "https://dashboard.connectmedia.co.ke/api.php" \
-H "Authorization: Bearer $CM_API_KEY" \
-d action=send -d to=254712345678 \
-d message="Payment of KES 1,200 received. Thank you."- No licensing or network onboarding on your side.
- Go live the same day.
- No minimum top-up; credit never expires.
- Delivery reports, sender IDs and two-way SMS included.
Which should you choose?
| Direct to Safaricom | Provider API | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to go live | Weeks to months | Same day |
| Minimum purchase | 25,000 SMS upfront | None (Connect Media) |
| Networks | Safaricom only | All Kenyan networks |
| Best for | Millions of SMS/month | Most businesses and developers |
Read the bulk SMS API overview, the developer docs, or our Safaricom bulk SMS pricing guide.
Connect Media is an independent provider and is not affiliated with Safaricom PLC.
Start sending with Connect Media
Create an account — no minimum top-up, credit that never expires, and SMS from KES 1.0 to Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom numbers. Questions? Call +254 707 339 945 or email info@connectmedia.co.ke.
Frequently asked questions
Does Safaricom have a bulk SMS API?
Safaricom offers technical integration to approved partners. Most businesses instead use a bulk SMS provider's API, which delivers to Safaricom numbers without direct onboarding.
Can I send to Safaricom numbers through the Connect Media API?
Yes. The same API call delivers to Safaricom, Airtel and Telkom numbers.
Do I need a licence to send bulk SMS through an API?
Connecting directly to a network involves licensing and onboarding. Sending through a provider's API does not require your own network connection.