The +211 country code is for South Sudan, the world's youngest country. It gained independence from Sudan in July 2011 and received its own country code shortly after, splitting from Sudan's +249. With about 11 million people spread across a territory the size of France, South Sudan is one of the least connected countries on earth. Landlines barely exist, mobile coverage is limited to major towns, and the network goes down frequently.
If you're trying to call South Sudan, patience is part of the process. Numbers are 9 digits after the country code, there's no trunk prefix, and you'll be dealing with one of three mobile operators that collectively cover maybe a third of the country's territory.
Quick answer: The +211 country code is for South Sudan. Phone numbers are 9 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 9 (most common: 91, 92, 95, 97). There is no trunk prefix. Dial +211 followed by the 9-digit number.
How to call South Sudan: quick reference
South Sudan has no trunk prefix. You dial the number the same way locally and internationally, just adding +211 in front for international calls.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +211 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-211-[local number] |
| UK | 00-211-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-211-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-211-[local number] |
| France | 00-211-[local number] |
Understanding South Sudan phone numbers
South Sudan phone numbers are 9 digits long after the +211 country code. There are no area codes and no trunk prefix.
Mobile numbers
Almost all phone numbers in South Sudan are mobile. The first two or three digits identify the operator:
- 91, 92 - MTN South Sudan
- 95, 97 - Zain South Sudan
- 92, 93 - Digitel (smaller operator)
Format: +211 9XX XXX XXX (9 digits total). Number blocks overlap between operators in some cases, so the prefix alone doesn't always tell you which network a number belongs to.
Landline numbers
Landlines are extremely rare. The few that exist are in Juba (the capital) and start with 18. Format: +211 18X XXX XXX. In practice, almost nobody uses a landline. Even government offices rely on mobile phones.
| Type | Starts with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile (MTN) | 91, 92 | +211 912 345 678 |
| Mobile (Zain) | 95, 97 | +211 955 123 456 |
| Landline (Juba) | 18 | +211 181 234 567 |
Mobile carriers in South Sudan
South Sudan has two main mobile operators and one smaller player. Coverage is concentrated in state capitals and along major roads. Outside those corridors, signal disappears quickly.
MTN South Sudan
MTN is the largest operator, with prefixes 91 and 92. It has the widest coverage, reaching Juba, Malakal, Wau, Bor, and most state capitals. MTN also runs mobile money (MTN MoMo), which is one of the few ways to transfer money in a country with limited banking. If you're calling South Sudan and don't know the carrier, it's likely MTN.
Zain South Sudan
Zain is the second-largest operator, using prefixes 95 and 97. Coverage is similar to MTN in major towns but thinner in rural areas. Zain was one of the first operators in the country (arriving before independence when the region was still part of Sudan). It offers mobile money through m-Gurush.
Digitel
A smaller, locally owned operator with limited coverage mostly around Juba and a few other towns. Prefixes 92 and 93. Market share is much smaller than MTN or Zain.
Don't confuse +211 with nearby codes
The biggest confusion is between South Sudan (+211) and Sudan (+249). They were one country until 2011, and many people still mix up the codes.
| Code | Country | Why it's confusing |
|---|---|---|
| +249 | Sudan | South Sudan split from Sudan in 2011. Old contacts may still have +249 numbers. If someone moved from Khartoum to Juba, their number changed. |
| +256 | Uganda | Uganda borders South Sudan to the south. Many South Sudanese refugees live in Uganda, and cross-border calls are frequent. |
| +254 | Kenya | Kenya hosts a large South Sudanese refugee and diaspora population, especially in Nairobi. People sometimes confuse the codes. |
| +243 | DR Congo | Shares a border with South Sudan. Less common but possible mixup for border-area calls. |
The +211/+249 distinction trips people up the most. If the person you're calling lived in South Sudan before independence and you have an old +249 number, it won't work anymore. They'll have a +211 number now.
Time zone considerations
South Sudan uses Central Africa Time (CAT), which is UTC+2 year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | When it's 9 AM in Juba |
|---|---|---|
| New York (EST) | CAT is 7 hours ahead | 2:00 AM in New York |
| Los Angeles (PST) | CAT is 10 hours ahead | 11:00 PM previous day in LA |
| London (GMT) | CAT is 2 hours ahead | 7:00 AM in London |
| Nairobi (EAT) | CAT is 1 hour behind | 10:00 AM in Nairobi |
| Sydney (AEDT) | CAT is 9 hours behind | 6:00 PM in Sydney |
From the US, the overlap is tight. A late afternoon call from Juba (4-5 PM) reaches New York at 9-10 AM, which is the best window for both sides. From Australia, the time difference is more manageable.
Communication in South Sudan
Business hours and communication style
Government offices nominally operate 8 AM to 3 PM, Sunday through Thursday (South Sudan follows a Sunday-Thursday work week, with Friday and Saturday off). In practice, schedules are flexible. English is the official language and used in business, though Arabic is widely spoken (a legacy of decades under Sudan), and dozens of local languages are used at home. Juba Arabic, a simplified pidgin, is the most common street language in the capital.
Network quality
Expect dropped calls, poor audio, and periods where the network is simply unavailable. Power infrastructure is almost nonexistent outside Juba, so cell towers run on generators that go offline when fuel runs out. During the rainy season (May-October), roads become impassable and tower maintenance stops. If you can't reach someone, it's often an infrastructure problem, not a wrong number.
Alternatives to voice calls
Where mobile data is available (mostly Juba), WhatsApp is used heavily. Many NGO workers and diaspora members communicate through WhatsApp voice calls rather than regular phone calls, since data connections can be more stable than the voice network. SMS still works in areas with basic 2G coverage where data doesn't.
The South Sudan diaspora
Decades of civil war (first within Sudan, then after independence) have displaced millions. The South Sudanese diaspora is one of the largest refugee populations in Africa.
Uganda
Uganda hosts the largest South Sudanese refugee population, with over 900,000 people as of recent UNHCR counts. Most are in northern Uganda (Bidi Bidi, Palorinya, Rhino Camp settlements). Phone calls between northern Uganda and South Sudan are among the busiest cross-border routes in East Africa. Many refugees maintain MTN or Zain SIM cards from South Sudan alongside Ugandan SIMs.
Kenya
Nairobi has a large South Sudanese community, both refugees and a professional/business class. Kakuma refugee camp in northwestern Kenya also hosts South Sudanese. Calls between Nairobi and Juba are frequent, and many South Sudanese businesses operate from both cities.
United States and Australia
The US has a South Sudanese community of roughly 40,000-60,000, concentrated in cities like Omaha, Des Moines, Nashville, and Minneapolis. Many arrived as "Lost Boys" refugees in the early 2000s. Australia has a similar-sized community, mainly in Melbourne and Sydney. Both groups maintain strong phone contact with family back home.
Sudan and Ethiopia
Sudan (especially Khartoum) still has many South Sudanese who haven't returned since independence. Ethiopia hosts refugees in Gambella region near the border. Cross-border family ties are strong in both directions.
Dialing examples
Calling an MTN mobile from the US
The number is 912 345 678.
From a US mobile: +211 912 345 678
From a US landline: 011-211-912-345-678
Calling a Zain mobile from the UK
The number is 955 123 456.
From a UK mobile: +211 955 123 456
From a UK landline: 00-211-955-123-456
Calling from Uganda
The number is 977 654 321.
From a Ugandan mobile: +211 977 654 321
From a Ugandan landline: 000-211-977-654-321
Local calls within South Sudan
Dial the 9-digit number directly. No prefix needed. To call that MTN mobile locally: 912 345 678.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using +249 (Sudan) instead of +211
This is the number one mistake. Before 2011, South Sudan was part of Sudan and used +249. If you have a contact's number from before independence, it's wrong. They'll have a +211 number now. Ask for an updated number.
Adding a trunk prefix
South Sudan has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number. Dial +211 followed by exactly 9 digits. +211-0-912345678 won't connect.
Assuming the call will go through on the first try
Network reliability in South Sudan is poor. Calls drop, fail to connect, or produce silence on the line. This is normal. Try multiple times, try at different hours, and if voice calls aren't working, try SMS or WhatsApp.
Expecting someone to answer during a network outage
Cell towers go offline for hours or days when generators run out of fuel, especially outside Juba. If you can't reach someone for an extended period, the network in their area may simply be down. This doesn't mean anything has happened to them.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +211 code?
South Sudan, the world's youngest country (independent since 2011). The capital is Juba. South Sudan split from Sudan, which uses +249.
How many digits are in a South Sudan phone number?
Nine digits after the +211 country code. There is no trunk prefix, so the full international format is +211 followed by 9 digits.
What's the difference between +211 and +249?
+211 is South Sudan (independent since 2011, capital Juba). +249 is Sudan (capital Khartoum). Before 2011 they were one country using +249. Old numbers from unified Sudan no longer work for South Sudanese contacts.
Why can't I reach someone in South Sudan?
Network infrastructure is limited. Cell towers run on generators that frequently run out of fuel. Coverage outside major towns is sparse. Try again at different times, or use WhatsApp if the person has data access.
What language will I hear when calling South Sudan?
English is official, but Juba Arabic (a pidgin) is the most widely spoken language in the capital. Dozens of local languages are used across the country. Business calls are usually in English.
For more East African dialing guides, see our articles on Sudan (+249), Uganda (+256), and Kenya (+254), or browse the full country code directory.