The +222 country code is for Mauritania, a large and sparsely populated country in northwest Africa. It borders Mali, Senegal, Algeria, and Western Sahara, with its capital Nouakchott sitting right on the Atlantic coast. To call Mauritania from abroad, dial +222 followed by the 8-digit local number. The country has three mobile operators and very few landlines outside of Nouakchott. Arabic (Hassaniya dialect) is the main language, with French widely used in business.
Quick answer: Dial +222 followed by the 8-digit local number. Mauritania has no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 2, 3, 4, or 6-7. Landline numbers start with 25 or 45.
How to call Mauritania: quick reference
Mauritania has no trunk prefix. Add your country's exit code, then +222, then the 8-digit local number directly.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +222 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-222-[local number] |
| UK | 00-222-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-222-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-222-[local number] |
| France | 00-222-[local number] |
Understanding Mauritania phone numbers
Mobile numbers
Mauritania mobile numbers are 8 digits. The first two digits indicate the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29, 70 | Chinguitel | +222 22 XX XX XX |
| 30-39, 61-63, 66, 71-73 | Mattel | +222 33 XX XX XX |
| 40-49 | Mauritel | +222 46 XX XX XX |
Landline numbers
Landline numbers are 8 digits and start with 25 or 45. Landlines are uncommon and mostly found in Nouakchott. Almost everyone uses mobile phones. Example: +222 25 XX XX XX.
No trunk prefix
Mauritania does not use a trunk prefix. Dial the 8-digit number directly after +222. Do not add a leading zero.
Mobile carriers in Mauritania
Mauritel
Mauritel is owned by Maroc Telecom and is one of the two larger operators. It uses the 4X prefix range and also runs most of the country's landline infrastructure. Economy calling rate: $0.94/min.
Mattel
Mattel is backed by Tunisie Telecom. It operates on prefixes 3X, 61-63, 66, and 71-73. Along with Mauritel, it has the widest coverage outside Nouakchott. Economy calling rate: $0.94/min.
Chinguitel
Chinguitel is owned by Sudatel (Sudan). It uses prefixes 2X and 70. It is the cheapest to call from abroad on the economy tier. Economy calling rate: $0.68/min.
Don't confuse +222 with nearby codes
| Code | Country | Easy to confuse? |
|---|---|---|
| +222 | Mauritania | -- |
| +223 | Mali | Yes, off by one digit |
| +230 | Mauritius | Yes, similar name |
| +221 | Senegal | Neighboring country, similar code |
| +213 | Algeria | Same region |
Two common mix-ups: +222 (Mauritania) vs +223 (Mali), which differ by one digit; and +222 (Mauritania) vs +230 (Mauritius), which are completely different countries on opposite sides of Africa but sound similar in English.
Time zone considerations
Mauritania is on GMT (UTC+0) year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Mauritania is 5 hours ahead | 9:00 AM-1:00 PM EST (2:00-6:00 PM GMT) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Mauritania is 8 hours ahead | 7:00-10:00 AM PST (3:00-6:00 PM GMT) |
| UK (GMT) | Same time zone | 9:00 AM-6:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CET) | Mauritania is 1 hour behind | 10:00 AM-7:00 PM CET (9:00 AM-6:00 PM GMT) |
| France (CET) | Mauritania is 1 hour behind | 10:00 AM-7:00 PM CET |
Communication in Mauritania
Business hours and etiquette
Business hours are roughly 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM, Sunday through Thursday. Friday and Saturday are the weekend. During Ramadan, hours are shorter and people may be harder to reach in the afternoon. Hassaniya Arabic is spoken in most contexts, but French is common in business. Greetings are important and can be lengthy.
Network quality
Coverage in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou is decent on all three operators. Outside of cities, coverage thins out quickly. Much of Mauritania is desert, and large stretches between towns have no signal at all. 3G works in main cities; 4G is limited to parts of Nouakchott.
Messaging and alternatives
WhatsApp is widely used in Mauritania for both calls and messaging. Most people use it for international calls because it is cheaper than regular phone calls. If your contact is in a city, WhatsApp calls usually work. In rural or desert areas, neither voice coverage nor data may be available.
The Mauritania diaspora
Where Mauritanians live abroad
France has the largest Mauritanian diaspora, mostly in Paris and its suburbs. There are also communities in Senegal, Mali, Spain, the Gulf states (especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE), and the United States. Many Mauritanians in the Gulf work in trade or religious education.
Why they call home
Family calls are frequent, especially around Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha. Remittances are common, and calls often coincide with money transfers. Weddings and other celebrations mean more calls too.
Dialing examples
Calling a Chinguitel mobile from the US
To call a Chinguitel number 22 12 34 56:
From a US mobile: +222 22 12 34 56
From a US landline: 011-222-22-12-34-56
Calling a Nouakchott landline from the UK
To call a landline 45 12 34 56:
From a UK phone: 00-222-45-12-34-56
Calling a Mattel mobile from France
To call a Mattel number 33 45 67 89:
From a French phone: 00-222-33-45-67-89
Calling from within Mauritania
For domestic calls, dial the 8-digit number directly. No country code, no trunk prefix. Example: 22 12 34 56.
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix
Mauritania has no trunk prefix. Do not dial +222-0-22... Dial the 8-digit number directly after +222.
Confusing Mauritania (+222) with Mauritius (+230)
These are different countries on different sides of Africa. Mauritania is in northwest Africa; Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean. The country codes are not even close, but the similar names trip people up.
Confusing +222 with +223 (Mali)
These codes differ by one digit. If you reach someone speaking Bambara instead of Hassaniya Arabic, you probably dialed Mali.
Calling during the weekend
Mauritania's weekend is Friday-Saturday, not Saturday-Sunday. If you are trying to reach a business contact, call Sunday through Thursday.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +222 code?
Mauritania, a country in northwest Africa with Nouakchott as its capital.
How many digits are in a Mauritania phone number?
Eight digits after the +222 country code, for both mobile and landline.
Does Mauritania have a trunk prefix?
No. Dial the 8-digit number directly after +222.
What time zone is Mauritania in?
GMT (UTC+0) year-round. No daylight saving time.
How much does it cost to call Mauritania?
With CallSky, economy rates start from $0.68/min (Chinguitel) and $0.83/min (landline). Mauritel and Mattel mobiles are $0.94/min. Premium rates start from $0.82/min.
What is the difference between Mauritania and Mauritius?
Mauritania (+222) is in northwest Africa. Mauritius (+230) is an island in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa. They are different countries with different country codes.
Need to call other countries in the region? Check our guides for Mali (+223), Senegal (+221), and Algeria (+213).