Frequently Asked Questions
Use a pre-registered alphanumeric sender ID and an SMS API like Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, or Plivo. Ensure your messages comply with local regulations and best practices, such as obtaining opt-in consent and supporting Arabic script.
Alphanumeric sender IDs are preferred and fully supported. They require pre-registration, which takes about 3 weeks. Numeric sender IDs and short codes are not supported by major carriers like Maroc Telecom.
Two-way SMS is not fully supported through most providers, meaning businesses cannot typically receive replies to A2P messages via standard channels.
The recommended sending window is between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM local time (WET/GMT+1). Avoid sending during prayer times, religious holidays like Ramadan, and Friday prayers out of respect for local customs.
No, sending SMS messages to landline numbers in Morocco is not possible and will result in delivery failure. Attempts to send to landlines typically return a 400 error with code 21614.
Standard SMS messages are limited to 160 characters for GSM-7 encoding or 70 characters for Unicode (UCS-2) encoding, which is required for Arabic text.
Obtain explicit opt-in consent, support opt-out keywords (STOP, ARRET, UNSUBSCRIBE, ????????), respect local time zones and customs, and avoid prohibited content such as gambling, adult material, and political messaging without authorization.
Pre-registration is required and takes approximately three weeks. Alphanumeric sender IDs are preserved across most networks, though not by Inwi.
Keep messages concise (under 160 characters), include a clear call to action, personalize content thoughtfully, maintain a consistent brand voice, and incorporate your company name.
MMS is not directly supported. When an MMS is sent, it's automatically converted to an SMS containing a URL where recipients can view the multimedia content.
Process opt-out requests within 24 hours, maintain a centralized opt-out database, and include clear opt-out instructions in every message.
Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo all offer APIs with features tailored for sending SMS in Morocco, including support for alphanumeric sender IDs and Unicode encoding.
Gambling, adult content, political messaging without authorization, religious content, illegal substances/services, and hate speech are all prohibited. Financial services and healthcare messages require additional documentation.
Use pre-registered sender IDs, avoid URL shorteners, use clear and professional language, and adhere to approved templates for sensitive industries like finance and healthcare. Maintain consistent sending patterns.
Limit messages to 4-5 per recipient per month. Space out bulk campaigns to avoid network congestion and monitor delivery rates closely.
How to Send SMS in Morocco: Complete Compliance & Integration Guide
Send SMS to Morocco by meeting strict ANRT regulatory and technical requirements across three major carriers. This guide shows you how to send compliant SMS messages to Moroccan customers in 2024, covering sender ID registration (3-week timeline), Law 09-08 data protection compliance, CNDP requirements, carrier-specific technical specs for Maroc Telecom, Orange Morocco, and Inwi, and API integration with Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird, and Plivo.
Morocco SMS Market Overview
Market Conditions: Morocco operates a vibrant mobile communications market with approximately 49.2 million subscribers and a penetration rate of 137.5% (as of 2024). Three major operators serve the market: Maroc Telecom (34–38% market share), Orange Morocco (33–34% market share), and Inwi (formerly Wana, 31–32% market share). SMS remains a crucial communication channel for businesses and consumers, though WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger grow increasingly popular. Android devices dominate the market at approximately 85%, with iOS devices comprising the remaining share.
Practical Implications for SMS Senders: Test across all three carriers since sender ID preservation varies by operator (Inwi does not preserve alphanumeric sender IDs). Route SMS traffic through aggregators with direct connections to all three carriers for optimal delivery rates. The high market penetration (137.5%) means many users carry multiple SIM cards – handle number portability properly in your delivery infrastructure.
SMS Features and Capabilities in Morocco
Morocco supports concatenated messages and alphanumeric sender IDs but limits two-way SMS functionality.
Two-Way SMS Support
Status: Not supported
You cannot receive replies to SMS messages through most providers in Morocco. Standard A2P (Application-to-Person) channels do not support two-way SMS.
Workarounds for Two-Way Communication:
Concatenated Messages (Segmented SMS)
Status: Yes, supported across most networks (may vary by sender ID type)
Message Length Rules:
Encoding: Morocco supports both GSM-7 and UCS-2 encodings. Arabic text requires UCS-2 encoding, reducing the character limit to 70 per segment.
Concatenation Cost Example: A 200-character English message (GSM-7) splits into 2 segments (153 characters each due to concatenation headers), costing 2× the single-segment rate. A 150-character Arabic message (UCS-2) splits into 3 segments (67 characters each), costing 3× the rate. Always calculate segment costs before large campaigns.
MMS Support
Status: Not directly supported – converted to SMS with URL
Morocco does not support MMS messages directly. When you send MMS, carriers automatically convert the message to SMS with an embedded URL link where recipients view the multimedia content. This ensures delivery while maintaining compatibility across all networks.
Recipient Phone Number Compatibility
Number Portability
Status: Fully available
Morocco offers number portability, allowing users to keep phone numbers when switching mobile operators. Messages route properly to the current carrier without significantly impacting SMS delivery or routing.
Can You Send SMS to Landlines in Morocco?
Status: Not supported
You cannot send SMS to landline numbers in Morocco. Sending to landlines results in delivery failure, typically generating a 400 response with error code 21614. Failed attempts do not appear in logs and do not charge your account.
Morocco SMS Compliance: ANRT Regulations and Law 09-08 Requirements
The National Telecommunications Regulatory Agency (ANRT) regulates SMS communications in Morocco. Comply with local telecommunications laws and data protection regulations.
Primary Legislation: Morocco's data protection framework operates under Law No. 09-08 (dated February 18, 2009) relating to protection of individuals with regard to personal data processing, and its implementation Decree No. 2-09-165 (dated May 21, 2009). The Commission nationale de contrôle de la protection des données à caractère personnel (CNDP) implements and enforces the law.
2019 ANRT Opt-Out Policy: In 2019, ANRT introduced an opt-out policy for SMS marketing with third-party providers, requiring Maroc Telecom, Orange Morocco, and Inwi to improve customer protection through standardized opt-out mechanisms.
2025 Equipment Regulation Update: On January 20, 2025, ANRT issued Decision ANRT/DG/N°16/24, updating type approval and labeling requirements for telecommunications equipment, effective May 1, 2025.
SMS Marketing Consent Requirements in Morocco (Law 09-08)
Explicit Consent Requirements:
Penalties for Non-Compliance: Under Law No. 09-08, violations are punishable by:
Best Practices for Consent Collection:
Sample Compliant Opt-In Language:
HELP/STOP and Other Commands
Required Features:
Do Not Call / Do Not Disturb Registries
Status: No centralized registry
Morocco does not maintain a centralized Do Not Call registry. You must:
Best Times to Send SMS in Morocco (UTC+1 Timezone & Prayer Times)
Morocco Time Zone: Morocco observes Western European Time (WET/UTC+0) as its base time zone but operates on permanent Daylight Saving Time (UTC+1/WEST) for most of the year. During Ramadan, the country temporarily reverts to UTC+0. Understanding Morocco's timezone is crucial for SMS delivery optimization and compliance with ANRT sending guidelines.
Time Zone Identifier: Africa/Casablanca (IANA)
Recommended SMS Sending Hours:
Prayer Times to Avoid (approximate, vary by city and season):
Consult IslamicFinder Morocco Prayer Times for precise prayer times by city. Complete campaigns before 12:45 PM on Fridays or start after 2:30 PM.
Morocco Sender ID Registration: Alphanumeric IDs, Long Codes & Short Codes
Alphanumeric Sender ID
Operator Network Capability: Fully supported across major networks
Registration Requirements: Pre-registration required
Registration Timeline: Approximately 3 weeks
Step-by-Step Registration Process:
Prepare Required Documentation:
Submit Application:
ANRT Review Process (approximately 3 weeks):
Approval and Activation:
Required Information:
Registration Costs: Fees vary by provider:
Note: Fees are subject to change; confirm current pricing with your SMS provider before registration.
Sender ID Preservation: Yes, preserved across all networks except Inwi
Character Limits: Up to 11 characters (letters and numbers only)
Content Restrictions: No political, religious, unsolicited promotion, or gambling content; P2P traffic prohibited
Long Codes
Support:
Sender ID Preservation: No, international numbers may be overwritten with generic alphanumeric IDs
Use Cases: Not recommended for marketing campaigns; better suited for transactional messages
Short Codes
Status: Not currently supported in Morocco
Alternative: Use pre-registered alphanumeric sender IDs instead
Restricted SMS Content and Carrier Filtering in Morocco
Prohibited Content:
Regulated Industries and Additional Documentation Requirements:
Submit documentation approval requests through your SMS provider with supporting legal documents. Approval typically adds 1–2 weeks to standard registration timelines.
How Do Moroccan Carriers Filter SMS Content?
Known Carrier Filters:
Best Practices to Avoid Filtering:
Real-World Filtering Examples:
Best Practices for Sending SMS in Morocco
Messaging Strategy
Sending Frequency and Timing
Localization
Opt-Out Management
Testing and Monitoring
Key Metrics to Track:
SMS API Integration for Morocco: Twilio, Sinch, MessageBird & Plivo
Twilio
Twilio provides a robust REST API for sending SMS to Morocco. Authentication uses account SID and auth token.
Morocco-Specific Error Handling:
Sinch
Sinch offers a straightforward REST API with JWT authentication for Morocco SMS.
MessageBird
MessageBird provides a feature-rich API with support for Morocco's specific requirements.
Plivo
Plivo offers a reliable API with specific features for Morocco messaging.
API Rate Limits and Throughput
Default rate limits vary by provider:
Strategies for Large-Scale SMS Sending:
Requesting Rate Limit Increases: Most providers support rate limit increases for verified business accounts. Contact your provider's sales or support team with:
Typical approval time: 3–5 business days. Twilio and Sinch commonly approve increases to 200–500 msg/sec for high-volume senders.
Error Handling and Reporting
Morocco-Specific Error Codes Summary:
Frequently Asked Questions About SMS in Morocco
Do I need to register my sender ID in Morocco?
Yes, Morocco requires pre-registration for alphanumeric sender IDs. The registration process takes approximately 3 weeks and requires you to specify your sender ID (up to 11 alphanumeric characters), SMS type (OTP or Marketing), and SMS content with any URL links. Sender IDs are preserved across all networks except Inwi.
What laws govern SMS marketing in Morocco?
Law No. 09-08 (dated February 18, 2009) governs SMS marketing in Morocco, relating to protection of individuals with regard to personal data processing, and its implementation Decree No. 2-09-165. The CNDP (Commission nationale de contrôle de la protection des données à caractère personnel) oversees enforcement. Obtain explicit opt-in consent before sending marketing SMS and honor opt-out requests within 24 hours per ANRT guidelines.
Do I need consent to send SMS marketing in Morocco?
Yes, obtain clear, documented opt-in consent before sending marketing messages in Morocco. Maintain detailed records of when and how you obtained consent, including consent timestamp, source, and IP address. Store consent records for at least 2 years and obtain prior authorization from CNDP for international data transfers.
Which mobile carriers operate in Morocco?
Morocco has three major mobile carriers: Maroc Telecom (34–38% market share), Orange Morocco (33–34% market share), and Inwi (formerly Wana, 31–32% market share) as of 2024. The market has approximately 49.2 million subscribers with a penetration rate of 137.5%. All three carriers support number portability, allowing users to keep their phone numbers when switching providers.
What time zone does Morocco use for SMS sending?
Morocco observes permanent Daylight Saving Time (UTC+1/WEST) for most of the year. During Ramadan, the country temporarily reverts to UTC+0 (Western European Time). The time zone identifier is Africa/Casablanca (IANA). Send SMS messages between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM local time, avoiding prayer times (particularly Friday prayers) and religious observances.
What character encoding should I use for Arabic SMS in Morocco?
Use UCS-2 encoding for Arabic text in Morocco, which limits messages to 70 characters per segment. GSM-7 encoding supports 160 characters per segment but only works for standard Latin characters. Messages automatically use the appropriate encoding based on content. Ensure proper right-to-left (RTL) text handling for Arabic content.
How long does it take to start sending SMS in Morocco?
Starting to send SMS in Morocco requires approximately 3 weeks for alphanumeric sender ID registration with ANRT. Provide your sender ID (up to 11 characters), specify SMS type (OTP or Marketing), and submit SMS content with any URL links. International long codes are supported but may be overwritten with generic alphanumeric IDs. Short codes are not currently available in Morocco.
What content is prohibited in SMS messages to Morocco?
Morocco prohibits gambling and betting services, adult content, political messaging without authorization, religious content, illegal substances, and hate speech in SMS messages. Financial services require additional documentation, healthcare messages must comply with Law 09-08 privacy regulations, and debt collection services face strict limitations. Carriers may also block URLs from unknown domains and messages with excessive punctuation or all-caps text.
Summary and Additional Resources
Key Takeaways
Compliance First
Technical Considerations
Best Practices
Next Steps
Estimated Timeline and Effort:
Total estimated time to production: 5–7 weeks from start to first compliant campaign launch.
Additional Resources
Official Regulatory Sources:
Industry Resources:
Technical Documentation: