The +221 country code is for Senegal, the westernmost country on the African mainland. Dakar, the capital, sits on a peninsula jutting into the Atlantic. About 18 million people. French is the official language, but Wolof is what everyone actually speaks -- about 80% of the population uses Wolof in daily life regardless of their ethnic group. Senegal is one of the few West African countries that has never had a military coup, and the Senegalese take teranga (hospitality) seriously -- it's not a tourism slogan, it's a social code. Phone numbers are 9 digits, no trunk prefix, and the first two digits tell you the carrier.
Quick answer: Senegal's country code is +221. All numbers are 9 digits. No trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 77/76 (Orange), 78 (Free), or 70 (Expresso). Landlines start with 33. From France, dial
00 221then the 9-digit number. From the US, dial011-221or+221then the 9-digit number.
How to call Senegal: quick reference
Senegal has no trunk prefix. Dial the full 9-digit number after the country code. The format is straightforward: +221 XX XXX XX XX.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| France | 00 221 XX XXX XX XX |
| Italy | 00 221 XX XXX XX XX |
| Spain | 00 221 XX XXX XX XX |
| US/Canada mobile | +221 XX XXX XX XX |
| US/Canada landline | 011 221 XX XXX XX XX |
| Gambia | 00 221 XX XXX XX XX |
Understanding Senegal phone numbers
All Senegalese numbers are 9 digits. The first two digits tell you whether it's mobile or landline, and for mobile, they tell you which carrier.
Mobile numbers
9 digits starting with 7. The second digit identifies the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier |
|---|---|
| 77, 76 | Orange (Sonatel) |
| 78 | Free (formerly Tigo) |
| 70 | Expresso |
Landline numbers
9 digits starting with 33:
- 33 8XX XX XX: Dakar and suburbs
- 33 9XX XX XX: Regions outside Dakar
Landlines are uncommon outside of businesses and government offices. Most Senegalese use mobile exclusively.
Number format
All numbers are 9 digits: XX XXX XX XX. No trunk prefix -- dial the full 9 digits locally and after +221 internationally. Senegal migrated from 7-digit to 9-digit numbers back in 2014, so this is well established by now.
Mobile carriers in Senegal
Three operators, with Orange dominating.
Orange Senegal (~55-60% market share)
Operates through Sonatel, which is part-owned by Orange SA (France) and the Senegalese state. Sonatel was the state telecom monopoly before mobile competition arrived; Orange/Sonatel still controls most fixed-line infrastructure. The dominant carrier with the best nationwide coverage. Orange Money is the most widely used mobile money service in Senegal. Numbers starting with 77 or 76.
Free Senegal (~25-30%)
Was Tigo (owned by Millicom of Sweden), then acquired by a consortium led by Yerim Sow's Saga Africa Holdings. Rebranded to Free in 2019. Second-largest mobile operator. Numbers starting with 78. Has been growing market share through aggressive pricing and data offers.
Expresso Senegal (~10-15%)
Owned by Sudatel (Sudan). Entered the market in 2009. The smallest of the three. Numbers starting with 70. Coverage is weaker in rural areas compared to Orange and Free.
Mobile money works the same way as in Côte d'Ivoire -- it's how most daily transactions happen. Orange Money dominates. If you're sending money to someone in Senegal, they'll probably give you their Orange Money number rather than a bank account.
Don't confuse +221 with nearby codes
The +220/+221 confusion is the most common and the most geographically absurd.
| Code | Country | Number length |
|---|---|---|
| +221 | Senegal | 9 digits |
| +220 | Gambia | 7 digits |
| +222 | Mauritania | 8 digits |
| +223 | Mali | 8 digits |
Gambia is a thin strip of land that runs along the Gambia River, entirely surrounded by Senegal on three sides (the Atlantic on the fourth). You can drive from one part of Senegal to another and pass through Gambia without realizing it. Cross-border family connections are common. If you dial +220 instead of +221, you'll reach someone in Gambia. The number length helps: Senegal uses 9 digits, Gambia uses 7.
Mauritania (+222) is Senegal's northern neighbor. The two countries had a serious diplomatic crisis in 1989 that led to mass deportations in both directions, and cross-border tensions flare up occasionally. Mali (+223) borders Senegal to the east.
Time zone considerations
Senegal is on GMT (UTC+0) year-round. No daylight saving time. Same as London in winter, one hour behind in summer.
| Your location | Time difference | Call Senegal 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| France (CET, winter) | Senegal is 1 hour behind | 10 AM - 7 PM CET |
| France (CEST, summer) | Senegal is 2 hours behind | 11 AM - 8 PM CEST |
| Italy/Spain | Same as France | Same as France |
| US East Coast (EST) | Senegal is 5 hours ahead | 4 AM - 1 PM EST |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Senegal is 4 hours ahead | 5 AM - 2 PM EDT |
| UK (GMT, winter) | Same time | 9 AM - 6 PM GMT |
| Gambia (GMT) | Same time | 9 AM - 6 PM GMT |
For the European diaspora, the 1-2 hour gap is easy. Evening calls from Paris at 8 PM CET reach Dakar at 7 PM local. From the US East Coast, the 4-5 hour gap means you need to call before noon EST to catch Senegalese business hours. Weekends are easier for US-based callers.
Communication in Senegal
Business hours
Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 1 PM, then 3 PM to 6 PM. The midday break is real -- Dakar slows down between 1 and 3 PM. Friday afternoons are quieter because of Friday prayer (Jumu'ah). Government offices are nominally 8 AM to 5 PM but often close earlier. Saturday mornings are common for shops and markets.
Language
French is the language of business, government, and education. Wolof is what people actually speak to each other. About 80% of Senegalese use Wolof regardless of their ethnic background -- it's the de facto national language. On the phone, formal calls (business, government) are in French. Personal calls between Senegalese are usually in Wolof, or sometimes Pulaar, Serer, or Jola depending on the region. If you call a hotel or business in Dakar, expect French. English proficiency is limited outside of international businesses and tourism.
Network quality
Coverage is good in Dakar and other cities (Thiès, Saint-Louis, Kaolack, Ziguinchor). 4G is available in urban areas from all three operators. Rural coverage is patchier, especially in Casamance (southern Senegal, separated from the north by Gambia) and eastern Senegal (Tambacounda, Kédougou). International call quality from France to Dakar is typically clear -- submarine cables (ACE and others) connect Dakar directly to Europe.
The Senegal diaspora
The Senegalese diaspora is spread across Europe and beyond, with France as the primary destination.
France (~300,000+)
The largest Senegalese community abroad. Concentrated in Paris and Île-de-France, with communities in Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux, and Toulouse. Migration started in the 1960s-70s, largely from the Senegal River valley (Haalpulaar and Soninké communities). The foyer system (worker hostels) was historically how single Senegalese men lived in France. Today the community is more diverse: students, professionals, families. The Château d'Eau area near Gare du Nord and the 18th arrondissement are centers of Senegalese and broader West African life in Paris.
Italy (~100,000+)
One of the largest sub-Saharan African communities in Italy. Concentrated in northern Italy: Milan, Turin, Bergamo, Brescia, and Florence. Many Senegalese started as street vendors (the stereotypical image, though the community has diversified well beyond that). Immigration accelerated in the 1980s and 1990s. The community is well-organized with active associations. Italy-Senegal phone traffic is substantial.
Spain (~70,000+)
Concentrated in Barcelona, Madrid, the Canary Islands, and Andalusia. Some arrived via the dangerous sea crossing from Senegal to the Canary Islands in fishing pirogues, particularly during the 2006 migration wave that Senegalese call "Barça ou Barsakh" (Barcelona or the afterlife). The community has grown and stabilized since.
United States (~20,000-40,000)
Mostly in New York City -- Harlem has a notable Senegalese quarter, along with parts of the Bronx and Brooklyn. Some Senegalese-run restaurants and shops along 116th Street in Harlem. DC, Atlanta, and Houston also have communities. Many arrived through the diversity visa lottery.
Gambia
Not a "diaspora" in the usual sense -- the border between Senegal and Gambia cuts through ethnic communities (Wolof, Mandinka, Jola). Many people have family on both sides. Cross-border phone calls are frequent and feel like calling the next village, even though they're technically international.
Dialing examples
All Senegalese numbers are 9 digits. No trunk prefix to worry about.
Example 1: Calling an Orange mobile in Dakar from Paris
- Senegalese number: 77 123 45 67
- From France:
00 221 77 123 45 67 - The 77 tells you it's an Orange subscriber.
Example 2: Calling a Free mobile from New York
- Senegalese number: 78 456 78 90
- From US mobile:
+221 78 456 78 90 - From US landline:
011 221 78 456 78 90
Example 3: Calling a landline in Dakar from Milan
- Senegalese number: 33 821 34 56
- From Italy:
00 221 33 821 34 56 - The 33 8 tells you it's a Dakar landline.
Example 4: Calling from Senegal to France
- French number: 06 12 34 56 78
- From Senegal:
00 33 6 12 34 56 78 - Drop the leading 0 from the French number after the country code.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common errors when calling Senegal:
Confusing +221 with +220 (Gambia)
The most common mistake. Gambia is literally inside Senegal, and one digit separates the country codes. If you dial +220 instead of +221, you'll reach someone in Gambia. The number length is the giveaway: Senegal uses 9 digits, Gambia uses 7.
Trying to call during Grand Magal
The annual Grand Magal pilgrimage to Touba (the holy city of the Mouride Sufi order) draws 3-5 million people to a city built for far fewer. Phone networks in and around Touba get severely congested during the event, which falls in the Islamic month of Safar. Expect dropped calls and delays. Try early morning or late night when traffic is lighter.
Forgetting there's no trunk prefix
Senegal does not use 0 as a trunk prefix. If a number starts with 77, 78, 70, or 33, that's the real number. Dial all 9 digits after +221. Don't drop any digits.
Calling Casamance and losing signal
The Casamance region (Ziguinchor, Cap Skirring) in southern Senegal is separated from the rest of the country by Gambia. Coverage is weaker there, especially outside Ziguinchor city. If you can't reach someone in Casamance, it may be a coverage issue rather than a wrong number. Try again later.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +221 code?
+221 is the country code for Senegal in West Africa.
How many digits are Senegalese phone numbers?
All Senegal numbers are 9 digits. Mobile numbers start with 77/76 (Orange), 78 (Free), or 70 (Expresso). Landlines start with 33.
How do I call Senegal from France?
Dial 00 221 followed by the 9-digit number. For example: 00 221 77 123 45 67.
What is the time difference between France and Senegal?
Senegal is on GMT (UTC+0) year-round. France is 1 hour ahead in winter (CET) and 2 hours ahead in summer (CEST).
Is +220 the same as +221?
No. +221 is Senegal, +220 is Gambia. They're neighboring countries (Gambia is surrounded by Senegal) but have separate phone systems and country codes.
Do I need to drop a 0 when calling Senegal?
No. Senegal does not use a trunk prefix. Numbers starting with 77, 78, 70, or 33 are the actual numbers. Dial all 9 digits after +221.
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