SMS Templates

SMS templates allow you to define predefined messages for each event type and each supported language.

Access

Menu: Settings → SMS Templates

Or from the SMS Campaigns page, click SMS Templates.

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Template Principle

Each template associates:

• An event type (reminder, payment, etc.)
• A language (Portuguese, Crioulo, Fula, etc.)
• Content with variables

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                   SMS TEMPLATE                                   │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Type: rappel_general                                           │
│  Language: Crioulo (cr)                                         │
│  Content: {nom}, lembra di kumpri bo paiementu na {date}.      │
│  Variables: {nom}, {date}                                       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                 GENERATED MESSAGE                                │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Recipient: Mamadou Diallo                                      │
│  Phone: +245955123456                                           │
│  Message: Mamadou Diallo, lembra di kumpri bo paiementu na     │
│           15/03/2026.                                           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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Template Management

Template List

The page displays all configured templates with:

Column	Description
Event type	Message type
Language	Template language
Content	Message preview
Active	Active/inactive status
Actions	Edit, Delete

Create a Template

1. Click New template
2. Fill in the form:

Field	Type	Description
Event type	Selection	Select message type
Language	Selection	Select language
Content	Text	Write message with variables
Active	Checkbox	Check to activate

3. Click Save

Uniqueness Constraint

Only one template can exist for each type + language combination.

Edit a Template

1. Click the Edit icon (pencil)
2. Edit the content
3. Save

Disable a Template

1. Open the template
2. Uncheck Active
3. Save

A disabled template will not be used for message generation.

Delete a Template

1. Click the Delete icon (trash)
2. Confirm the action

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Available Variables

Templates support variables that are automatically replaced:

Variable	Description	Format
{nom}	Recipient's full name	Text
{montant}	Transfer amount	Number with currency
{reference}	Transaction reference	Alphanumeric code
{date}	Event date	DD/MM/YYYY
{cycle}	Payment cycle name	Text
{programme}	Program name	Text

Template Example

Type: paiement_success Language: Portuguese (pt)

Caro(a) {nom}, o seu pagamento de {montant} foi processado com sucesso.
Referência: {reference}. Data: {date}.

---

Event Types

Reminders

Type	Code	Usage
General reminder	rappel_general	Generic reminder
Collection reminder	paiement_reminder	Payment collection reminder

Example (Crioulo):

{nom}, bo paiementu di {montant} sta pronto pa bo kobri. Data: {date}.

Payment Notifications

Type	Code	Usage
Successful payment	paiement_success	Payment made
Failed payment	paiement_failed	Transfer problem
Pending payment	paiement_pending	To collect

Example successful payment (Fula):

{nom}, yobal maa {montant} horiima no haaniri. Ref: {reference}.

Information and Awareness

Type	Code	Usage
Information	information	Informational message
Awareness	sensibilisation	Educational message
Summons	convocation	Meeting invitation

Example summons (Portuguese):

{nom}, está convidado(a) para uma reunião no dia {date}. Presença obrigatória.

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Supported Languages

Code	Language	Description
pt	Portuguese	Official language
cr	Crioulo	Main vehicular language
fr	French	International language
ff	Fula (Pulaar)	Fula ethnic group
bal	Balanta	Balanta ethnic group
man	Mandinka	Mandinka ethnic group
mjc	Manjaco	Manjaco ethnic group
pbo	Papel	Papel ethnic group
fla	Felupe	Felupe ethnic group
bjg	Bijago	Bijago ethnic group
knf	Mancanha	Mancanha ethnic group

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Recommended Organization

Coverage Matrix

Ensure you have templates for important combinations:

Type	pt	cr	ff	bal	man	mjc	pbo	fla	bjg	knf	fr
rappel_general	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
paiement_success	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
paiement_reminder	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Prioritize Main Languages

Start with Portuguese and Crioulo (the most used), then add other languages progressively.

Identify Missing Templates

When previewing a campaign:

• Messages with templates display on green background
• Messages without templates display on red background with "Template missing"

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Best Practices

Writing

1. Respect 160 characters: A standard SMS is limited
2. Start with the name: Personalize immediately
3. Be direct: Essential information first
4. Avoid special accents: Some phones don't display them correctly

Multilingual

1. Have natives translate: Avoid automatic translations
2. Test messages: Read aloud to verify meaning
3. Adapt tone: Respect cultural conventions
4. Check length: Some languages are longer

Maintenance

1. Review regularly: Update obsolete templates
2. Document changes: Keep a history
3. Test after modification: Verify variables work

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Template Examples by Language

Portuguese (pt)

General reminder:

Caro(a) {nom}, lembramos que o seu pagamento de {montant} está disponível.
Data: {date}. Programa: {programme}.

Crioulo (cr)

General reminder:

{nom}, lembra di kumpri bo paiementu di {montant} na {date}.
Programa: {programme}.

Fula (ff)

Successful payment:

{nom}, yobal maa {montant} horiima no haaniri.
Ref: {reference}. Ñalnde: {date}.

Balanta (bal)

Summons:

{nom}, a pedi ba nha reuniaun na dia {date}.
Presensa ba obrigatori.

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Use Cases

Create a Template for a New Event Type

1. Identify the needed event type
2. Write message in main language (Portuguese)
3. Create the template
4. Have it translated into other languages
5. Create templates for each language
6. Test with a test campaign

Update an Existing Template

1. Identify the template to modify
2. Note the current version
3. Modify content
4. Test with a preview
5. Validate changes

Temporarily Disable a Template

If a template has issues:

1. Disable it (uncheck "Active")
2. Campaigns will use a default message
3. Fix the template
4. Reactivate it

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Permissions

Action	Required Permission
View templates	sms.templates_view
Create/edit	sms.templates_edit
Delete	sms.templates_delete