USSD, SMS, WhatsApp and Call Center Set Up & Pricing in Senegal.
In Senegal, telecommunication facilities are highly developed. The country has around 19 million mobile phone users, with a penetration rate of over 90%. Internet penetration stands at approximately 65%, reflecting the growing digital engagement among Senegalese. USSD is widely used, with popular USSD codes including *123# for checking account balances and *145# for managing mobile services. Major telecom companies like Orange Senegal, Tigo, and Expresso make extensive use of USSD to provide accessible services to their customers. WhatsApp and SMS are crucial for marketing in Senegal. Businesses leverage these platforms to engage with their audience, promote offers, and provide customer service. Popular brands in Senegal using these services include Jumia, a major e-commerce platform, and local retail chains.
In Senegal, the telecommunications landscape offers various SMS services, each governed by Senegal's specific regulations. Short codes, popular in Senegal for services like mobile banking, require approval from Senegal's national communications authority. Senegal's businesses can use marketing SMS for promotions, but must adhere to Senegal's registration and consent requirements. Transactional SMS in Senegal face less stringent rules but must comply with Senegal's data protection laws. Premium Rate Services SMS in Senegal, which charge users for content, typically need a license from Senegal's regulatory body and must follow Senegal's pricing transparency guidelines.
WhatsApp's popularity in Senegal stems from WhatsApp's data efficiency in areas with limited internet. WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption ensures secure communication for Senegal's users. The WhatsApp API Cloud enables Senegal's businesses to scale customer interactions, while WhatsApp's wide adoption makes it ideal for customer service. WhatsApp's compatibility with lower-end smartphones promotes digital inclusion across Senegal. The WhatsApp API Cloud allows Senegal's companies to implement chatbots and integrate systems, supporting business growth even in regions with unstable connections.
WhatsApp (Per 24hr Session)
WhatsApp Business platform employs a conversation-based pricing model, charging businesses for each conversation within a 24-hour period. Conversations are categorized as service, utility, authentication, or marketing, with varying prices based on the category and the customer's country code Learn more on WhatsApp billing.
USD
0.0225
WhatsApp (Setup)
A one time set up charge to to cover the initial technical configuration, custom development, and client onboarding process.
USD
49
USSD pricing in Senegal
Senegal leverages USSD technology for interactive, menu-driven services that operate without internet, crucial for Senegal's digital inclusion efforts. In Senegal, USSD facilitates mobile banking, public service delivery, and information access, serving both urban and rural populations through its compatibility with basic phones. Senegal's telecom regulator oversees USSD short codes, ensuring fair access across mobile networks and adhering to Senegal's specific numbering plan. Despite growing smartphone adoption, USSD remains vital in Senegal for its universal accessibility, helping bridge the digital divide and spurring innovation in sectors ranging from agriculture to healthcare.
Senegal's voice service landscape is rapidly evolving, with call centers emerging as hubs for both local support and international outsourcing, capitalizing on Senegal's multilingual workforce. Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems in Senegal are bridging literacy gaps, providing critical information in local dialects for health, agriculture, and government services. Senegal's adoption of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is reshaping business communication, though it faces regulatory challenges as Senegal balances innovation with traditional telecom interests. As Senegal leapfrogs legacy systems, voice technologies are enabling unique solutions like mobile money authorization via voice biometrics and community radio integration with IVR for wider information dissemination.
Virtual Phone Number (Setup)
A one-off cost to set-up a phone number
XOF
200,000
Virtual Phone Number (Per Month)
A virtual number that routes calls within an organisation. It allows for multiple people to call in or out in parallel and can play a welcome message (IVR) to callers.
XOF
78,000
Voice - Outgoing Call (Per Sec)
Making calls from your virtual phone numbers incurs a routing and connection cost.
