1. Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the NewHope SMS platform, website, or any associated services (collectively, the "Service"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to all of these Terms, you may not access or use the Service.
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("User", "you", or "your") and NewHope Technology, a company registered in Morogoro, Tanzania ("NewHope SMS", "we", "us", or "our").
2. Description of Services
NewHope SMS provides a cloud-based Communication Platform as a Service (CPaaS) that enables businesses and individuals to send:
- Bulk SMS — Mass text message delivery to mobile numbers across Tanzania and beyond
- OTP / Two-Factor Authentication SMS — One-time password delivery for authentication flows
- Transactional SMS — Automated system-triggered messages (order confirmations, alerts, notifications)
- API Integration — RESTful API access for programmatic SMS delivery from third-party systems
- Custom Sender ID — Branded sender name display on outgoing SMS messages
The Service is delivered via multiple gateway providers to ensure maximum uptime and delivery across all major Tanzanian mobile networks including Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo, Halotel, and TTCL.
3. Eligibility & Registration
3.1 Age and Legal Capacity
You must be at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract under Tanzanian law. By using the Service, you represent and warrant that you meet these requirements.
3.2 Business Accounts
If you are registering on behalf of a business, organisation, or other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that entity to these Terms. In such cases, "you" refers to that entity.
3.3 Account Security
You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials (email, password, API keys, and secret keys). You must immediately notify us at info@newhope.co.tz of any unauthorised access or security breach. NewHope SMS will not be liable for any loss resulting from unauthorised use of your credentials.
3.4 One Account Per Entity
Each business entity or individual may maintain only one active account unless prior written approval has been granted by NewHope SMS. Duplicate accounts may be suspended without notice.
4. KYC Verification Requirements
In compliance with Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) regulations, all users must complete Know Your Customer (KYC) verification before gaining full access to the Service.
4.1 Required Documents
- Personal Business: Valid National ID (NIDA) and Business License
- Registered Company: BRELA Registration Certificate, TRA Documents, and Business License
4.2 Verification Process
KYC verification is reviewed by our compliance team (IT or CEO-level staff) within 1–2 business days. Submitting fraudulent, altered, or misleading documentation is a serious violation of these Terms and may result in immediate account termination and referral to relevant authorities.
4.3 Sender ID Approval
Custom Sender IDs require separate approval by our compliance team and must comply with TCRA guidelines. Sender IDs may be rejected if they impersonate government agencies, financial institutions, or other protected entities.
5. Acceptable Use Policy
You agree to use the Service only for lawful purposes and in compliance with all applicable Tanzanian laws and regulations, including but not limited to:
- The Electronic and Postal Communications Act (EPOCA) 2010
- The Cybercrimes Act 2015
- TCRA regulations on SMS messaging
- TRA anti-money laundering provisions
- The Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) 2022
You are solely responsible for the content of all messages sent through the Service. NewHope SMS acts as a carrier and is not responsible for message content, though we reserve the right to suspend accounts sending prohibited content.
6. Prohibited Activities
The following activities are strictly prohibited on the NewHope SMS platform:
- Sending unsolicited commercial messages (SMS spam) to recipients who have not opted in
- Sending messages containing obscene, defamatory, threatening, or harassing content
- Phishing, fraud, scams, or any attempt to deceive recipients
- Impersonating government agencies, banks, telecom operators, or other entities
- Sending content that promotes illegal activities, violence, or terrorism
- Sending content that violates any individual's privacy or data protection rights
- Attempting to reverse-engineer, bypass, or abuse our API rate limits
- Reselling or sublicensing API access without prior written consent
- Using automated systems to create multiple accounts
- Transmitting malware, viruses, or any malicious code via the Service
7. Account Suspension & Restriction
NewHope SMS may suspend or restrict an account immediately and without prior notice where, in our reasonable judgement, the account has been used in a way that puts customers, recipients, the NewHope team or the platform at risk. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Duplicate accounts — registering or operating more than one account for the same person or business without our written approval.
- Misuse of a Sender ID — scamming or deceiving people, or sending messages repeatedly to people who have not given permission or who have asked you to stop.
- Manipulation of accounts — tampering with balances, credits, verification records, API keys, payments or any other part of an account or of the platform.
- Harmful or disrespectful content — sending any SMS or e-mail that is harmful, abusive or disrespectful to users, to the NewHope team or to any other person.
- Inactivity — an account with no usage for more than 90 days.
- Unverified accounts — an account that has not completed the required verification (KYC). An account whose e-mail address is not verified within 1 hour of registration is deleted automatically; the customer can register again with a correct e-mail address.
NewHope SMS may also suspend or restrict an account for any other reason where the NewHope team is satisfied, after review, that the account has earned that action.
7.1 What happens to a suspended account
Sending is stopped and API keys are blocked while the account is under review. Unused credits may be forfeited where the suspension results from a breach of Sections 5, 6 or 7.
7.2 Appeals
A restricted account may submit an appeal with supporting evidence from the dashboard or by writing to info@newhope.co.tz within 30 days of the restriction. An account restricted for more than 30 days without an appeal may be permanently disabled. The NewHope team's decision after review is final.
8. Payment Terms & Credits
8.1 Credit-Based System
The Service operates on a prepaid credit system. SMS credits must be purchased in advance via supported Tanzanian mobile money services (Vodacom M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Tigo Pesa). Credits are denominated in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS).
8.2 Pricing
SMS pricing is volume-based (tiered). Current prices are displayed at newhope.co.tz/pricing/. Prices are subject to change with 14 days' written notice to registered account holders.
8.3 Non-Refundable Credits
Purchased SMS credits are non-refundable except in the following circumstances: (a) duplicate payment due to a technical error on our platform; (b) account termination initiated by NewHope SMS without cause. Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the payment date to info@newhope.co.tz.
8.4 Taxes
All prices are exclusive of applicable taxes. Value Added Tax (VAT) and other applicable levies shall be added to transactions as required by Tanzanian law.
9. API Usage
Access to the NewHope SMS REST API is subject to these Terms and any additional API-specific guidelines we may publish. You agree to:
- Keep your API key and secret key strictly confidential
- Not share, expose, or hard-code API credentials in publicly accessible code
- Respect all rate limits and not attempt to circumvent them
- Use the API only for its intended purpose of sending legitimate communications
- Immediately revoke and regenerate any credentials you believe have been compromised
We reserve the right to revoke API access, with or without notice, for violations of these Terms or for unusual usage patterns that suggest abuse or compromise.
10. Intellectual Property
All content, software, technology, trademarks, logos, and intellectual property on the NewHope SMS platform are owned by NewHope Technology or its licensors and are protected under Tanzanian and international intellectual property laws.
You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Service for its intended purpose. You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, or create derivative works from any part of the Service without prior written consent.
11. Termination
11.1 By You
You may terminate your account at any time by contacting us at info@newhope.co.tz. Unused credits at termination are non-refundable unless NewHope SMS is at fault.
11.2 By Us
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account immediately, without prior notice, if you: (a) violate any provision of these Terms; (b) provide false information during KYC; (c) engage in any prohibited activity; (d) fail to pay outstanding amounts; or (e) your use poses a legal, reputational, or security risk to NewHope SMS or other users.
11.3 Effect of Termination
Upon termination, your right to access the Service ceases immediately. Data may be retained as required by law for up to 7 years per Tanzanian financial regulations.
12. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by Tanzanian law, NewHope SMS shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:
- Loss of revenue, profit, or business opportunities
- Undelivered or delayed messages due to carrier issues
- Downtime, service interruptions, or data loss
- Unauthorised access to your account resulting from your failure to secure credentials
Our total liability to you for any claim arising from your use of the Service shall not exceed the total amount paid by you to NewHope SMS in the 30 days preceding the claim.
The Service is provided "as is" and "as available". We do not guarantee 100% uptime, delivery rates, or uninterrupted access, though we commit to best-effort performance and published SLA targets.
13. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless NewHope SMS, its directors, employees, agents, and partners from and against any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Service; (b) content of messages you send; (c) your violation of these Terms; or (d) your violation of any applicable law or third-party rights.
14. Changes to Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated to you via email (to the address registered on your account) at least 14 days before they take effect. Minor changes (typographical corrections, clarifications) may be made without notice.
Continued use of the Service after the effective date of revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of those changes. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Service and close your account.
15. Governing Law & Disputes
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Republic of Tanzania. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or your use of the Service shall first be subject to good-faith negotiation between the parties.
If a dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation within 30 days, it shall be referred to arbitration in accordance with the Tanzania Arbitration Act or submitted to the competent courts of Morogoro, Tanzania.
16. Contact Information
For questions, concerns, or complaints regarding these Terms, please contact our legal and compliance team: