Bulk SMS to DR Congo
Send bulk SMS online to the DR Congo from your browser or the API for $0.01474 per message, with a delivery report for every number, scheduling up to 60 days ahead and automatic refunds for texts that cannot be delivered.
Bulk SMS in DR Congo
Who sends bulk SMS to the DR Congo?
The Democratic Republic of Congo, located in Central Africa with Kinshasa as its capital, has an economy driven by mining, agriculture, and trade. Businesses like mobile money agents, agricultural cooperatives, and retailers often send bulk SMS to their customers. Messages typically include payment confirmations, market prices, and promotional offers. SMS is ideal here because it works reliably across the country, even in areas with limited internet access.
Mobile money agents
Agents in Lubumbashi send SMS confirmations about transactions and account balances.
Agricultural cooperatives
Farmers in Goma receive SMS updates about crop prices and collection schedules.
Retailers
Shops in Kinshasa send SMS alerts about new arrivals and special discounts.
Transport services
Bus companies in Kisangani notify passengers about departure times and route changes via SMS.
Sending to the DR Congo: numbers, alphabet and timing
Number format
How do DR Congo mobile numbers look?
A typical mobile number in the DR Congo has 9 digits after the calling code +243. At home people write it with a leading 0, as in 0991 234 567, and that 0 is dropped in the international form: +243 991 234 567. Spaces, dots, dashes and brackets in your list are removed automatically.
Alphabet
Which alphabet do messages to the DR Congo use?
Most people in the DR Congo read French. Plain text fits 160 characters per SMS in GSM-7, but â, ê, î, ô, û, ç, ë and ï are not in that alphabet, and one of them moves the whole message to Unicode at 70 characters per SMS (67 per part). The composer lists each of these characters, so you can choose between keeping the accents and saving segments.
Time zone
What time do messages arrive in the DR Congo?
The DR Congo covers more than one time zone, from UTC+1 around Kinshasa to UTC+2 around Lubumbashi in January. In Kinshasa, 10:00 local time is 09:00 UTC in January. When the text mentions a time, split the list by region and schedule each part for its own morning; the scheduler works in your browser's time zone and shows the conversion.
Costs
What does a bulk SMS campaign to the DR Congo cost?
Every segment to the DR Congo costs $0.01474. A longer message is charged per segment, and the composer shows the segment count as you write.
| Messages | 1 segment | 2 segments |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $1.47 | $2.95 |
| 1,000 | $14.74 | $29.48 |
| 5,000 | $73.70 | $147.40 |
| 10,000 | $147.40 | $294.80 |
| 50,000 | $737.00 | $1,474.00 |
Bulk SMS to other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
Questions
Bulk SMS to DR Congo: questions and answers
How much does bulk SMS to the DR Congo cost?
Each SMS segment to the DR Congo costs $0.01474. 1,000 single-segment messages cost $14.74, 10,000 cost $147.40, and a $40 top-up covers about 2,713 messages. Messages that cannot be delivered are refunded to your balance.
How do I format DR Congo phone numbers for a bulk SMS list?
A typical mobile number in the DR Congo has 9 digits after the calling code +243. At home people write it with a leading 0, as in 0991 234 567, and that 0 is dropped in the international form: +243 991 234 567. Spaces, dots, dashes and brackets in your list are removed automatically.
How many characters fit in one SMS to the DR Congo?
Most people in the DR Congo read French. Plain text fits 160 characters per SMS in GSM-7, but â, ê, î, ô, û, ç, ë and ï are not in that alphabet, and one of them moves the whole message to Unicode at 70 characters per SMS (67 per part). The composer lists each of these characters, so you can choose between keeping the accents and saving segments.
When should I schedule bulk SMS to the DR Congo?
The DR Congo covers more than one time zone, from UTC+1 around Kinshasa to UTC+2 around Lubumbashi in January. In Kinshasa, 10:00 local time is 09:00 UTC in January. When the text mentions a time, split the list by region and schedule each part for its own morning; the scheduler works in your browser's time zone and shows the conversion.
What languages should I use for SMS in DR Congo?
French is the official language and widely used for SMS. Local languages like Lingala and Swahili are also effective in certain regions.
Are there regions with higher SMS usage?
Urban centers like Kinshasa and Lubumbashi have higher SMS usage due to greater mobile phone penetration.
Can one campaign include DR Congo and other countries?
Yes. A campaign can mix numbers from any of the 227 destinations. The console reads each calling code, prices every number at its own country's rate and shows the cost per country before you send.
Start sending to DR Congo
The DR Congo is one of 227 destinations on one balance. Top up from $40 and send your first campaign today.
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