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The sending of promotional SMS messages in Mozambique will now depend on prior authorisation from users and may be blocked entirely through a mandatory mechanism to be provided by mobile operators, according to new regulations.
In a resolution dated 2 June, Mozambique’s communications regulator, the National Communications Institute of Mozambique (INCM), determined that “PROMO messages may only be delivered to users who have previously authorised the respective category (whitelist) through their operator”, effectively ending the sending of advertising SMS messages without the recipient’s consent.
According to the INCM, the measure comes amid an increase in the mass and automated sending of advertising SMS messages, including cases of fraud and the use of platforms that send messages indiscriminately to multiple numbers, circumventing control mechanisms and reducing traceability.
At the same time, operators will be required to provide, “simply and free of charge”, a global mechanism that blocks the receipt of any promotional SMS, regardless of whether it originates from a short code or a mobile number (MSISDN). The blocking mechanism must take effect immediately or within the shortest technically possible timeframe.
Once the blocking option has been activated, only messages that are “strictly related to emergencies, firefighters, hospitals and ambulances” will be permitted, provided they originate from previously identified senders. Any promotional, commercial or betting-related content will be prohibited.
The resolution also establishes operational limits on mass messaging. Whenever abusive use is detected, the telecommunications operator must apply a temporary block on message transmission, preserve minimum evidence and notify the owner of the number involved.
In cases involving the improper use of short codes, operators must suspend or block the service and report the matter to the INCM.
The regulation also requires message traffic to be routed through controlled systems, stipulating that, “for traceability and compliance purposes, A2P traffic [application-to-person messaging] associated with short codes must be routed through registered and auditable channels”.
Entities that circumvent the rules will be subject to administrative measures, including blocking or suspension, restricted access to resources and sanctioning procedures, without prejudice to any other legal liabilities.
The resolution applies to A2P SMS traffic, covering promotional messages (PROMO), transactional and service messages (TRANS/SERV), and one-time password authentication messages (OTP). It includes messages sent through both short codes and conventional mobile numbers when used on a mass scale.
Under the implementation timetable, operators have 60 days to submit to the regulator a plan detailing activation mechanisms, consent categories and blocking procedures. The system must be fully operational within a maximum of 180 days of the publication of the resolution on 2 June 2026.
Source: Lusa
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