> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ushahidi.com/platform-user-manual/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ushahidi.com/platform-user-manual/3.-configuring-your-deployment/3.4-data-sources/3.4.7-africas-talking.md).

# 3.4.7 Africa's Talking

This section allows you to configure Africa's Talking as a data source and receive SMS messages as unstructured posts in your Ushahidi deployment.

<details>

<summary>Prerequisite Information: Username, SMS Short Code, and API Key</summary>

1. Login to Africas Talking dashboard
2. Click on **App name**

<img src="/files/qw0Sd5Wu5diZ00tAdCkL" alt="" data-size="original">

Take note of *Username*

<img src="/files/2RVgJuDteptd4H1yIfzU" alt="" data-size="original">

3. Click on **SMS** -> **Short Codes** -> **My Shortcodes**

<img src="/files/bYCsDf1WwpZKdiOZIFIS" alt="" data-size="original">

Take note of *Short Code*

4. Click on **Settings** -> **API Key**
5. Enter account password and click **Generate**

<img src="/files/vBElnKbLdJy5zK5oVaEy" alt="" data-size="original">

Take note of *API Key* (will also be automatically copied into your clipboard)

</details>

### Setup Africa's Talking Data Source in Ushahidi

1. Login to Ushahidi.

<figure><img src="/files/H3KHgf47KQl6v2BlGqhM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Click on **Settings** -> **Data Sources**
3. Click **Add source**

<figure><img src="/files/i0Eklx2tM1uFEJLb7D3H" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Select **Africa's Talking**

<figure><img src="/files/6sw5scTOAqDDs1vSM2iK" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Enter your *Username, API Key,* and *SMS Short Code,* and then click **Save.**

<figure><img src="/files/lTHq4Tqh3HVUgbhUaIc1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Setup Ushahidi Callback in Africa's Talking**

1. Login to Africa's Talking Dashboard and click on app

<figure><img src="/files/dEueRewALqTDC45KAu6t" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Click on **SMS -> Callback URLs -> Incoming Messages**
3. Enter the Ushahidi's callback URL and click **Submit.**

The URL is your deployment backend's API URL, ending with "/sms/africas-talking"

{% hint style="info" %}
The API URL is often slightly different from your deployment's website URL.&#x20;

* If you are using the ushahidi.io hosting service, you will always need to insert ".api" after your subdomain.  Example:
  * Assuming your deployment's URL address is <mark style="color:green;">**My-Deployment**</mark><mark style="color:yellow;">.ushahidi.io</mark>
  * The API URL for your deployment would be: <mark style="color:green;">**My-Deployment**</mark><mark style="color:red;">**.api**</mark><mark style="color:yellow;">.ushahidi.io</mark>
* Consult with your system administrator if you are configuring a deployment hosted outside of ushahidi.io
* Don't forget to append "/sms/africas-talking" to the resulting API URL
  {% endhint %}

e.g. <https://quakemap.api.ushahidi.io/sms/africas-talking>

<figure><img src="/files/OBPm6azj3vh2HEk1ONPP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>