How to Send Bulk SMS in Zimbabwe with Ping

Zimbabwe has three major mobile network operators: Econet Wireless, NetOne, and Telecel. Reaching subscribers across all three networks reliably requires an understanding of local SMS routing, sender ID regulations, and optimal sending times. This guide walks you through the entire process using Ping.

Step 1: Create Your Ping Account

Sign up at ping.co.zw and create a business profile. You will need to provide your business name and a valid contact number. Once registered, navigate to the API Keys section in your dashboard to generate a live API key with SMS permissions.

Step 2: Register a Sender ID

In Zimbabwe, alphanumeric sender IDs (e.g., "MyShop") need to be registered with each carrier. Ping handles this registration process for you. Submit your desired sender ID through the dashboard, and it will be provisioned across supported networks. Registration typically takes 24-48 hours.

Step 3: Prepare Your Recipient List

Format Zimbabwean numbers in international format: +263 followed by the 9-digit subscriber number (e.g., +263771234567). Ping normalizes numbers automatically, but consistent formatting reduces errors. Remove duplicates and ensure all recipients have opted in to receive your messages.

Step 4: Send Your Bulk SMS

import requests

API_KEY = "pk_live_your_key_here"
BASE_URL = "https://api.ping.co.zw/api"

recipients = ["+263771234567", "+263712345678", "+263733456789"]

response = requests.post(
    f"{BASE_URL}/sms/bulk",
    headers={
        "x-api-key": API_KEY,
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    json={
        "recipients": recipients,
        "message": "Hi! Our January sale is live. Visit myshop.co.zw for 20% off all items.",
        "senderId": "MyShop",
    },
)

print(response.json())
# {"result": "success", "message": "Bulk SMS queued", "jobId": "bulk_abc123"}

Step 5: Monitor Delivery

Ping processes bulk sends as background jobs with status tracking. Use the job ID returned in the response to check delivery progress through the dashboard or API. Delivery reports show per-recipient status: delivered, pending, or failed, along with the carrier the message was routed through.