Guide
Malawi phone numbers for SMS: Airtel, TNM and the +265 format
Most failed uploads come down to how numbers were typed. Here is how a Malawi mobile number is built, how to tell Airtel from TNM, and which formats SMS YANU accepts.
How a Malawi mobile number is built
Take +265 888 123 456. The +265 is the country code. The nine digits after it are the national number, and the first digits of that number show the range it came from. Inside Malawi people usually drop the country code and write a zero instead, so the same number becomes 0888 123 456.
Numbers have had this nine-digit shape since the numbering change that finished in 2011, so an old list with shorter numbers needs checking.
Airtel and TNM prefixes
| Starts with | International | Usually |
|---|---|---|
099 | +265 99 | Airtel |
088 | +265 88 | TNM |
These are the common ranges, not the full list. MACRA manages the national numbering plan, and that is the place to check allocations. You do not need the network to send: put the number in and SMS YANU handles the rest.
Formats SMS YANU accepts
| Written as | Accepted | What happens |
|---|---|---|
+265 888 123 456 | Yes | The full international format |
265888123456 | Yes | The plus sign is added |
00265888123456 | Yes | The 00 is read as a plus sign |
0888123456 | Yes | The local format with a leading zero |
888123456 | Check | Excel often removes the zero. Treat it as a Malawi number when you import |
2.65888E+11 | No | Excel scientific notation. The digits are lost, so fix the column |
Keeping a number list healthy
- Format the column as Text in Excel. That keeps the leading zero and stops scientific notation. The Excel guide shows how.
- One number per row. Two numbers in one cell cannot be read, so give each its own row.
- Remove old numbers. People change phones, and a number can pass to someone else. Check your list every so often.
- Use the failed list. If a number fails again and again, find out why before you text it again.
Developers can pass any of the accepted formats to the SMS API. A number outside Malawi is refused and not charged.
Questions
What is the country code for Malawi?
Malawi is +265. A mobile number has nine digits after the country code, so a full number looks like +265 888 123 456.
How can I tell if a number is Airtel or TNM?
Numbers starting 099 are generally Airtel, and numbers starting 088 are generally TNM. Treat the prefix as a guide rather than proof, because operators can be given more ranges.
Do I have to split my list by network?
No. On SMS YANU, Airtel and TNM numbers go in the same list at the same price.
Can SMS reach a landline?
No. A landline number cannot receive SMS, and rows like that are flagged during an import.
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