The +223 country code is for Mali, a large West African country with Bamako as its capital. If you need to call someone in Mali from abroad, you dial +223 followed by their 8-digit local number. Mali has two main mobile operators (Orange Mali and Malitel), and most people use mobile phones rather than landlines. French is the official language, but Bambara is the most widely spoken.
Quick answer: Dial +223 followed by the 8-digit local number. Mali has no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9. Landline numbers start with 20 (Bamako) or 44 (regional).
How to call Mali: quick reference
Mali has no trunk prefix, so there's no leading 0 to drop. Add your country's exit code, then +223, then the 8-digit local number.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +223 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-223-[local number] |
| UK | 00-223-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-223-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-223-[local number] |
| France | 00-223-[local number] |
Understanding Mali phone numbers
Mobile numbers
Mali mobile numbers are 8 digits. The first two digits identify the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 7X, 82-84, 90-94 | Orange Mali | +223 76 XX XX XX |
| 6X, 89, 95-99 | Malitel (SOTELMA) | +223 66 XX XX XX |
| 5X | Telecel/Atel | +223 50 XX XX XX |
Landline numbers
Landline numbers are also 8 digits. Bamako landlines start with 20. Regional fixed lines operated by Orange start with 44. Landline use is low compared to mobile; most Malians rely on mobile phones exclusively.
No trunk prefix
Mali eliminated its trunk prefix when it switched from 7-digit to 8-digit numbers. Dial the number exactly as given after +223. Do not add a leading zero.
Mobile carriers in Mali
Orange Mali
Orange Mali is the largest mobile operator in the country. It runs the 7X, 82-84, and 90-94 mobile prefixes, plus fixed-line services on prefix 44. Orange also provides most of the 3G and 4G data coverage in urban areas. Economy calling rate: $0.51/min.
Malitel (SOTELMA)
Malitel is the second operator, owned by Maroc Telecom. It uses the 6X, 89, and 95-99 mobile prefixes and also runs some landline services. Malitel has better coverage in some rural parts of southern Mali than Orange. Economy calling rate: $0.50/min.
Telecel/Atel
A third operator on prefix 5X. It has a much smaller subscriber base than Orange or Malitel and limited coverage outside Bamako. Economy calling rate: $0.48/min.
Don't confuse +223 with nearby codes
| Code | Country | Easy to confuse? |
|---|---|---|
| +223 | Mali | -- |
| +224 | Guinea | Yes, off by one digit |
| +221 | Senegal | Same region, similar code |
| +226 | Burkina Faso | Neighboring country |
| +225 | Ivory Coast | Same region |
+223 and +224 are the most commonly swapped. Mali is +223, Guinea is +224. If you reach someone speaking Susu or Pular instead of Bambara, you probably dialed Guinea by mistake.
Time zone considerations
Mali is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC+0) year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Mali is 5 hours ahead | 9:00 AM-1:00 PM EST (2:00-6:00 PM GMT) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Mali 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) | Mali is 1 hour behind | 10:00 AM-7:00 PM CET (9:00 AM-6:00 PM GMT) |
| Australia (AEST) | Mali is 10 hours behind | 6:00-9:00 PM AEST (8:00-11:00 AM GMT) |
Communication in Mali
Business hours and etiquette
Business hours in Mali are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Friday afternoons can be quiet due to prayer time. French is the language of business and government, but many everyday conversations happen in Bambara. A greeting at the start of a phone call is expected, even in business contexts.
Network quality
Coverage in Bamako and other major cities (Sikasso, Mopti, Segou) is reasonable on both Orange and Malitel. Outside of cities, coverage drops off. The northern regions (Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal) have limited and sometimes interrupted service due to ongoing security issues. 3G is common in cities; 4G is available in Bamako but not widespread elsewhere.
Messaging and alternatives
WhatsApp is the most used messaging app in Mali. Many people prefer WhatsApp calls to save on airtime costs. Facebook Messenger is also common. If your contact is in an area with weak voice coverage but some data connection, a WhatsApp call or voice message may get through more reliably.
The Mali diaspora
Where Malians live abroad
France has the largest Malian diaspora, mostly in the Paris region. Mali was a French colony until 1960, and migration between the two countries never really stopped. There are also sizable Malian populations in Ivory Coast, Senegal, Gabon, Spain, and the United States.
Why they call home
Remittances are a major part of Mali's economy, and phone calls usually go along with money transfers. People call to coordinate sending money and check on family. Call volume picks up around Tabaski (Eid al-Adha), Ramadan, and Malian Independence Day on September 22.
Dialing examples
Calling an Orange mobile from the US
To call an Orange Mali number 76 12 34 56:
From a US mobile: +223 76 12 34 56
From a US landline: 011-223-76-12-34-56
Calling a Bamako landline from the UK
To call a Bamako landline 20 12 34 56:
From a UK phone: 00-223-20-12-34-56
Calling a Malitel mobile from France
To call a Malitel number 66 78 90 12:
From a French phone: 00-223-66-78-90-12
Calling from within Mali
For domestic calls, dial the 8-digit number directly. No country code, no trunk prefix. Example: 76 12 34 56.
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix
Mali has no trunk prefix. Do not dial +223-0-76... The zero will cause the call to fail. Just dial the 8-digit number after +223.
Confusing +223 with +224
Mali is +223, Guinea is +224. These get mixed up often. If your call ends up somewhere unexpected, check the last digit of the country code.
Old 7-digit numbers
Mali switched from 7-digit to 8-digit numbers years ago. If you have a 7-digit number from an old contact list, it's outdated. Ask your contact for their current 8-digit number.
Calling northern Mali
Mobile networks in the north (Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal) can be unreliable due to security conditions. If a call to the north doesn't connect, it may not be a dialing error. Try again later or use WhatsApp if your contact has data access.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +223 code?
Mali, a West African country with Bamako as its capital. The +223 code is not shared with any other country.
How many digits are in a Mali phone number?
Eight digits after the +223 country code, for both mobile and landline numbers.
Does Mali have a trunk prefix?
No. Dial the 8-digit number directly after +223.
What time zone is Mali in?
GMT (UTC+0) year-round. Mali does not use daylight saving time.
How much does it cost to call Mali?
With CallSky, economy rates start from $0.21/min for landline and $0.48/min for mobile. Premium rates start from $0.59/min. Rates vary by carrier and number type.
What language do people speak in Mali?
French is the official language. Bambara is the most widely spoken language in daily life. Other languages include Fulani, Songhai, and Tamasheq.
Need to call other countries in the region? Check our guides for Guinea (+224), Senegal (+221), and Burkina Faso (+226).