Authentication - Beem API

All Contacts API requests require authentication. Use HTTP Basic Authentication (API Key and Secret) or pass an access token in the Authorization header. Use one method per request — not both.

Generate credentials

Navigate to Contacts → API Setup in the Beem dashboard and click Generate API Key & Secret.

Your API Secret is displayed only once. Store it securely, as it cannot be viewed again.

Authentication methods

API Key & Secret
Access Token

Header	Value
`Authorization`	`Basic base64(api_key:secret_key)`
`Content-Type`	`application/json`

Username: API Key
Password: API Secret

GET /v1/addressbooks HTTP/1.1
Host: api.beem.africa
Authorization: Basic <base64-encoded-api_key:secret_key>
Content-Type: application/json

Header	Value
`Authorization`	`<access-token>`
`Content-Type`	`application/json`

Pass your access token directly — do not use a Bearer prefix.

GET /v1/addressbooks HTTP/1.1
Host: api.beem.africa
Authorization: <access-token>
Content-Type: application/json

Never expose your API Key, API Secret, or access token in frontend applications or public repositories.