Send SMS to Afghanistan: Complete API Guide, Compliance & Best Practices

Afghanistan SMS Market Overview

Send SMS to Afghanistan successfully by understanding local regulations, carrier capabilities, and technical requirements. This guide covers everything you need to implement reliable SMS messaging in Afghanistan, including A2P SMS setup, sender ID registration, compliance with ATRA regulations, and API integration with major providers like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo.

Market Conditions: Afghanistan's mobile market includes major operators: Roshan, Etisalat, Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC), ATOMA, and Salam (operated by Afghan Telecom). MTN completed the sale of its Afghan business to Beirut-based M1 New Ventures in 2021 (source: BuddeComm, accessed January 2025). As of 2024, the market serves approximately 23.21 million mobile connections, with 23.03 million active mobile subscriptions (source: Statista/telecommunications reports, accessed January 2025). SMS remains critical for business messaging and notifications, despite growing OTT messaging app adoption. Android devices dominate the market, with limited iOS penetration. Use A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging for business communications – register your sender ID and follow content regulations.

Afghanistan Mobile Number Format and Carrier Prefixes

Afghanistan mobile numbers follow this structure:

• Format: +93 7X XXX-XXXX (E.164 international format)
• Domestic format: 07X XXX-XXXX
• Total length: 10 digits (including carrier prefix)

Carrier-specific prefixes:

• AWCC: 070, 071
• Roshan: 079, 072
• Etisalat: 078, 073
• MTN: 077, 076
• Salaam: 074
• Afghan Telecom (CDMA): 075
• Wasl: 07*

Afghanistan SMS Capabilities and Features

Focus on one-way messaging with mandatory sender ID registration in Afghanistan. The market offers basic SMS functionality with some limitations.

Does Afghanistan Support Two-Way SMS?

Standard A2P channels don't support two-way SMS in Afghanistan. Consider alternative communication methods if you need two-way interaction.

Concatenated Messages (Long SMS) in Afghanistan

Support: Yes, all major carriers support concatenated messaging.

Message length rules: Standard SMS limits apply – 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding, 70 characters for UCS-2 encoding before splitting occurs.

Encoding considerations: Both GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings work. Use UCS-2 for messages containing non-Latin characters or special symbols.

MMS Support in Afghanistan

Afghanistan doesn't directly support MMS messages. When you send MMS content, it converts automatically to SMS with an embedded URL link where recipients can view the multimedia content. This ensures delivery while maintaining compatibility with local networks.

Phone Number Compatibility and Restrictions

Mobile Number Portability in Afghanistan

Number portability services are limited in Afghanistan. Mobile numbers generally stay with their original network operator, which helps ensure reliable message routing and delivery.

Can You Send SMS to Landlines in Afghanistan?

No, you can't send SMS to landline numbers in Afghanistan. Attempts to send messages to landlines will fail with a 400 response error (code 21614). The message won't appear in logs, and you won't incur charges.

Afghanistan SMS Compliance: ATRA Regulations and Requirements

The Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) regulates the telecommunications sector. While specific SMS marketing laws are still evolving, adhere to general telecommunications regulations and international best practices for messaging.

Consent and Opt-In Requirements for Afghanistan SMS

Explicit Consent Requirements:

• Obtain written or electronic consent before sending any marketing messages
• Maintain detailed records of how and when you obtained consent
• Clearly communicate the type and frequency of messages recipients will receive
• Provide transparent information about your sending organization

Best Practices for Consent Collection:

• Use double opt-in processes for marketing lists
• Document consent timestamps and methods
• Store consent records securely
• Regularly update and verify consent status

HELP/STOP Commands and Opt-Out Keywords

Support these standard opt-out keywords in all SMS campaigns:

• STOP, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE (English)
• مسدود, بند (Dari)
• ځنډول (Pashto)

Provide information through HELP/INFO commands in both English and local languages. Make responses to these commands free of charge for users.

Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries

Afghanistan doesn't maintain an official Do Not Call or Do Not Disturb registry. However, you should:

• Maintain your own suppression lists
• Honor opt-out requests within 24 hours
• Implement internal do-not-contact databases
• Regularly clean contact lists to remove unengaged users

Time Zone and Best Times to Send SMS in Afghanistan

Afghanistan follows UTC+4:30 time zone. While no strict regulatory time restrictions exist, send messages during these recommended hours:

• Weekdays: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM AFT
• Weekends: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM AFT
• Avoid: Religious holidays and prayer times
• Emergency messages: Send 24/7 only if truly urgent

How to Register SMS Sender IDs in Afghanistan

Alphanumeric Sender ID Registration for Afghanistan

Operator network capability: All major networks fully support alphanumeric sender IDs

Registration requirements:

• Pre-registration required (mandatory – unregistered sender IDs will be rejected)
• 3-week average processing time
• Must provide valid business case for requested sender ID
• Business registration documentation required

Required documentation:

• Sender ID (up to 11 characters)
• Message/content type specification (OTP, Marketing, Transactional)
• Message content examples with any URLs
• Company name
• Company website
• Company country of origin
• Expected monthly message volumes
• Account email address
• Copy of business registration documents

Submission process: Submit documentation to your SMS provider's registration team (e.g., alpha_sender_id@telnyx.com for Telnyx customers) with all required materials

Sender ID preservation: Yes, registered IDs are preserved across all networks except MTN, which requires specific pre-registration

Long Codes for Afghanistan SMS

Domestic vs. International:

• Domestic long codes: Not supported
• International long codes: Supported with limitations

Sender ID preservation: No, carriers may modify international long codes

Provisioning time: N/A for domestic, immediate for international

Use cases: Primarily for transactional messaging and 2FA

Short Codes in Afghanistan

Support: Not currently supported in Afghanistan

Provisioning time: N/A

Use cases: N/A

Restricted Content and Prohibited SMS Use Cases in Afghanistan

Prohibited Content:

• Gambling and betting
• Adult content
• Political messaging without authorization
• Cryptocurrency promotions
• Unauthorized financial services

Regulated Industries:

• Banking: Requires additional documentation
• Healthcare: Patient privacy requirements apply
• Insurance: Must include disclaimer information

Content Filtering and Spam Prevention

Known Carrier Filters:

• URLs from unknown domains
• Multiple exclamation marks
• All-caps messages
• High-frequency identical messages

Best Practices to Avoid Filtering:

• Use registered URL shorteners
• Maintain consistent sending patterns
• Avoid spam trigger words
• Include clear business identifier

Best Practices for SMS Marketing in Afghanistan

Messaging Strategy

• Keep messages under 160 characters when possible
• Include clear call-to-action
• Use approved sender IDs consistently
• Maintain professional tone

Sending Frequency and Timing

• Limit to 4–5 messages per month per user
• Respect prayer times and religious observances
• Avoid sending during major holidays
• Space out bulk campaigns

Localization for Dari and Pashto

• Support for Dari and Pashto required
• Consider bilingual messages for important communications
• Use appropriate character encoding for local languages
• Test rendering on popular local devices

Opt-Out Management

• Process opt-outs within 24 hours
• Maintain centralized opt-out database
• Confirm opt-out with one final message
• Regular audit of opt-out compliance

Testing and Monitoring

• Test across all major carriers (Roshan, MTN, Etisalat, AWCC)
• Monitor delivery rates by carrier
• Track opt-out rates and patterns
• Regular content and compliance audits

Afghanistan SMS API Integration Guide

How to Send SMS with Twilio in Afghanistan

Twilio provides a robust SMS API with specific support for Afghanistan's messaging requirements.

Key Parameters:

• alphanumericSenderId: Must be pre-registered
• to: Phone numbers must be in E.164 format (+93)
• body: Supports both Latin and local character sets

import { Twilio } from 'twilio';

// Initialize Twilio client
const client = new Twilio(
  process.env.TWILIO_ACCOUNT_SID,
  process.env.TWILIO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

async function sendSMSToAfghanistan() {
  try {
    // Send message with registered sender ID
    const message = await client.messages.create({
      body: 'Your verification code is: 123456',
      from: 'YourBrand', // Pre-registered sender ID
      to: '+93701234567', // Afghanistan number in E.164 format
      statusCallback: 'https://yourwebhook.com/status' // Optional delivery tracking
    });
    
    console.log(`Message sent successfully: ${message.sid}`);
    return message;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Error sending message:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

Send SMS to Afghanistan with Sinch

Sinch offers comprehensive SMS capabilities for Afghanistan with support for both transactional and promotional messages.

import { SinchClient } from '@sinch/sdk-core';

// Initialize Sinch client
const sinchClient = new SinchClient({
  projectId: 'YOUR_PROJECT_ID',
  apiToken: 'YOUR_API_TOKEN'
});

async function sendSinchSMS() {
  try {
    const response = await sinchClient.sms.batches.send({
      from: 'CompanyName', // Registered sender ID
      to: ['+93701234567'],
      body: 'Your message here',
      deliveryReport: 'summary' // Optional delivery report settings
    });

    console.log('Batch ID:', response.id);
    return response;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Sinch SMS Error:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

Send SMS to Afghanistan with MessageBird

MessageBird provides specific features for handling Afghanistan's SMS requirements and regulations.

import { MessageBird } from 'messagebird';

// Initialize MessageBird client
const messagebird = new MessageBird('YOUR_ACCESS_KEY');

async function sendMessageBirdSMS() {
  const params = {
    originator: 'YourBrand', // Pre-registered sender ID
    recipients: ['+93701234567'],
    body: 'Your message content',
    reportUrl: 'https://your-webhook.com/delivery-reports' // Optional
  };

  try {
    const response = await new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
      messagebird.messages.create(params, (err, response) => {
        if (err) reject(err);
        else resolve(response);
      });
    });

    console.log('Message sent:', response);
    return response;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('MessageBird Error:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

Send SMS to Afghanistan with Plivo

Plivo offers reliable SMS delivery to Afghanistan with support for local language content.

import { Client } from 'plivo';

// Initialize Plivo client
const client = new Client(
  process.env.PLIVO_AUTH_ID,
  process.env.PLIVO_AUTH_TOKEN
);

async function sendPlivoSMS() {
  try {
    const response = await client.messages.create({
      src: 'REGISTERED_NAME', // Your registered sender ID
      dst: '+93701234567', // Destination number
      text: 'Your message here',
      url: 'https://your-webhook.com/delivery-status' // Optional
    });

    console.log('Message UUID:', response.messageUuid);
    return response;
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Plivo Error:', error);
    throw error;
  }
}

API Rate Limits and Throughput for Afghanistan SMS

Rate Limits by Provider:

• Twilio: 100 messages/second (varies by account tier)
• Sinch: 50 messages/second (varies by account tier)
• MessageBird: 500 POST requests/second (source: MessageBird API docs, accessed January 2025)
• Plivo: 80 messages/second (varies by account tier)

Throughput Management Strategies:

• Implement queuing systems for large volumes
• Use batch APIs when available
• Schedule messages across peak/off-peak hours
• Monitor delivery rates and adjust sending speed

Error Handling and Delivery Reports

Common Error Scenarios:

• Invalid sender ID (unregistered alphanumeric sender)
• Network congestion or operator unavailability
• Invalid phone number format (must use E.164 format: +937XXXXXXXX)
• Content filtering triggers (URLs, spam keywords, excessive punctuation)
• Landline delivery attempts (error code 21614)

Best Practices:

• Implement retry logic with exponential backoff
• Log all API responses and delivery receipts
• Monitor delivery rates by carrier
• Set up automated alerts for error thresholds

Frequently Asked Questions About SMS in Afghanistan

What format should Afghanistan phone numbers use for SMS?

Use E.164 format for Afghanistan phone numbers: +93 followed by the 10-digit subscriber number. For example, +93701234567. The country code is +93, and mobile numbers start with 07 followed by a carrier-specific prefix (0–9) and seven more digits.

How long does sender ID registration take in Afghanistan?

Alphanumeric sender ID registration in Afghanistan takes approximately 3 weeks on average. Provide business documentation and message content examples. MTN requires separate pre-registration even if you've registered with other carriers.

Can I send marketing SMS to Afghanistan without consent?

No. Obtain written or electronic consent before sending marketing messages in Afghanistan. While specific SMS marketing laws are evolving, ATRA regulations and international best practices require explicit opt-in consent. Always maintain detailed records of consent timestamps and methods.

Which SMS providers work best for Afghanistan?

Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo all support SMS delivery to Afghanistan. Key factors to consider: Twilio offers 100 msg/sec, MessageBird provides 500 POST requests/sec, Sinch offers 50 msg/sec, and Plivo provides 80 msg/sec. All require pre-registered sender IDs for Afghanistan.

What character encoding should I use for Dari and Pashto messages?

Use UCS-2 encoding for messages containing Dari or Pashto characters. UCS-2 supports non-Latin scripts but reduces the character limit to 70 characters per SMS segment (compared to 160 for GSM-7 encoding with Latin characters).

Why do my SMS messages to Afghanistan fail with error 21614?

Error code 21614 indicates you're attempting to send SMS to a landline number. Afghanistan doesn't support SMS to landlines. Verify your recipient numbers are mobile numbers (starting with 07), not landlines. Failed landline attempts won't incur charges.

Are short codes available in Afghanistan?

No, short codes aren't currently supported in Afghanistan. Use alphanumeric sender IDs or international long codes instead. Alphanumeric sender IDs are the recommended option for business messaging in Afghanistan.

What's the best time to send SMS in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan follows UTC+4:30 timezone. Send messages between 8:00 AM–8:00 PM AFT on weekdays and 10:00 AM–6:00 PM AFT on weekends. Avoid religious holidays and prayer times. Only send emergency messages 24/7 if truly urgent.

Do I need different sender IDs for each mobile operator in Afghanistan?

No – registered alphanumeric sender IDs are preserved across all major networks (Roshan, Etisalat, AWCC, ATOMA, Salam) except MTN. MTN requires specific pre-registration even if you've registered your sender ID with other carriers.

How many SMS messages can I send per user per month in Afghanistan?

Limit SMS to 4–5 messages per month per user. Higher frequencies may lead to increased opt-outs and potential spam filtering. Always monitor engagement metrics and adjust sending frequency based on user response.

Summary: Send SMS to Afghanistan Successfully

Key Takeaways:

1. Always use pre-registered sender IDs
2. Implement proper opt-out handling
3. Respect local time zones and cultural considerations
4. Monitor delivery rates and engagement

Next Steps:

1. Register sender IDs with your chosen provider
2. Set up delivery reporting systems
3. Implement proper error handling
4. Test with small volumes before scaling

Additional Resources:

• Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) – Primary telecom regulator (Dari/Pashto)
• Ministry of Communications and IT (MCIT) – Consumer protection directorate

Provider-Specific Documentation:

• Twilio SMS Documentation
• Sinch SMS API
• MessageBird SMS API
• Plivo SMS API