The +226 country code is for Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa surrounded by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast. If you need to reach someone in Ouagadougou or Bobo-Dioulasso, dial +226 before the local number. Most people use mobile phones. Landlines are rare outside government offices and larger businesses in the capital.
Quick answer: Dial +226 followed by the 8-digit local number. Burkina Faso has no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 5, 6, or 7. Landline numbers start with 20, 24, or 25. All numbers are 8 digits after the country code.
How to call Burkina Faso: quick reference
Burkina Faso uses a flat 8-digit numbering plan with no trunk prefix. When calling internationally, add your country's exit code before +226 and the 8-digit local number.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +226 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-226-[local number] |
| UK | 00-226-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-226-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-226-[local number] |
| France | 00-226-[local number] |
Understanding Burkina Faso phone numbers
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers in Burkina Faso are 8 digits long. Each carrier has specific two-digit prefixes:
| Prefix | Carrier | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 50-58 | Telecel Faso | +226 55 XX XX XX |
| 60-69 | Orange Burkina | +226 65 XX XX XX |
| 70-79 | Moov Africa | +226 70 XX XX XX |
Landline numbers
Landlines are also 8 digits and start with 20, 24, or 25. The fixed-line network is operated by Onatel (Office National des Télécommunications). Most landlines are in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.
Area codes
| City/Region | Prefix |
|---|---|
| Ouagadougou | 25 |
| Bobo-Dioulasso | 20 |
| Other regions | 24 |
No trunk prefix
Burkina Faso does not use a trunk prefix. Dial the 8-digit number directly after +226 for international calls, or dial the 8-digit number as-is for domestic calls.
Mobile carriers in Burkina Faso
Orange Burkina
Orange Burkina (formerly Airtel, acquired by Orange in 2016) is the largest mobile operator. It runs 4G LTE in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, with 3G coverage across most provincial capitals. Prefixes: 60-69. Economy calling rate: $0.52/min.
Moov Africa (formerly Onatel Mobiles)
Moov Africa is the mobile arm of the state-owned Onatel. It has the widest geographic coverage thanks to Onatel's existing infrastructure. Prefixes: 70-79. Economy calling rate: $0.52/min.
Telecel Faso
Telecel Faso is the smallest of the three operators. It has a loyal subscriber base but more limited rural coverage compared to Orange and Moov. Prefixes: 50-58. Economy calling rate: $0.52/min.
Don't confuse +226 with nearby codes
| Code | Country | Easy to confuse? |
|---|---|---|
| +226 | Burkina Faso | -- |
| +225 | Ivory Coast | Yes, off by one digit and neighboring country |
| +228 | Togo | Similar prefix, same region |
| +227 | Niger | Neighboring country, one digit apart |
| +223 | Mali | Neighboring country |
The most common mix-up is between +226 (Burkina Faso) and +225 (Ivory Coast). Both are West African countries with codes differing by a single digit, and there's heavy migration between the two. Double-check the last digit: 6 for Burkina Faso, 5 for Ivory Coast.
Time zone considerations
Burkina Faso runs on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), UTC+0 year-round. There is no daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Burkina Faso is 5 hours ahead | 7:00-11:00 AM EST (12:00-4:00 PM GMT) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Burkina Faso is 8 hours ahead | 7:00-9:00 AM PST (3:00-5:00 PM GMT) |
| UK (GMT) | Same time | 8:00 AM-6:00 PM GMT |
| Central Europe (CET) | Burkina Faso is 1 hour behind | 9:00 AM-7:00 PM CET |
| Australia (AEST) | Burkina Faso is 10 hours behind | 6:00-8:00 PM AEST (8:00-10:00 AM GMT) |
Communication in Burkina Faso
Business hours and etiquette
Standard business hours in Burkina Faso are 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. The long lunch break is common across West Africa. Government offices follow a similar schedule but may close early on Fridays. French is the language of business and government, though Moore (spoken by the Mossi majority) and Dioula are widely used in everyday interactions.
Network quality
Mobile coverage in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso is reliable, with 4G available from Orange and Moov. Provincial capitals generally have 3G. Rural villages may only have 2G or spotty coverage, especially in the Sahel region in the north. Call quality on landlines through Onatel tends to be stable within the capital.
Messaging and alternatives
WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app in Burkina Faso. Many people use WhatsApp calls to save money on international calls. Facebook Messenger is also used. For contacts in urban areas with smartphones, WhatsApp is often more reliable than a regular voice call during peak hours.
The Burkina Faso diaspora
Where Burkinabe live abroad
Ivory Coast hosts the largest Burkinabe diaspora by far, with an estimated 2-3 million people of Burkinabe origin. Many work in agriculture and trade. There are also communities in France, Italy, the United States, Canada, and other West African countries like Ghana and Mali.
Why they call home
Remittances make up a large share of Burkina Faso's economy, so diaspora members call regularly to coordinate transfers and check on family. Call traffic picks up around Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Christmas, and the August independence celebrations.
Dialing examples
Calling an Orange mobile from the US
To call an Orange mobile number 65 12 34 56:
From a US mobile: +226 65 12 34 56
From a US landline: 011-226-65-12-34-56
Calling an Ouagadougou landline from the UK
To call a landline 25 30 12 34:
From a UK phone: 00-226-25-30-12-34
Calling a Moov mobile from France
To call a Moov mobile number 70 12 34 56:
From a French phone: 00-226-70-12-34-56
Calling from within Burkina Faso
For domestic calls, dial the 8-digit number directly. No country code, no trunk prefix. Example: 65 12 34 56.
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix that doesn't exist
Burkina Faso has no trunk prefix. Do not dial +226-0-65... or add a leading zero. Dial the 8-digit number directly after +226.
Confusing +226 with +225 (Ivory Coast)
These two codes differ by one digit, and millions of Burkinabe live in Ivory Coast. If your call connects but you hear the wrong person, check whether you dialed 226 or 225.
Using an old 7-digit number
Burkina Faso migrated to 8-digit numbers several years ago. If you have a 7-digit number from an old contact, it may no longer work. Try adding the appropriate prefix digit (typically the carrier's first digit) at the beginning.
Calling during the lunch break
Many businesses close from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM for lunch. If you're calling a business in Burkina Faso, avoid this window or you'll reach voicemail.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +226 code?
Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa. The +226 code is not shared with any other country.
How many digits are in a Burkina Faso phone number?
Eight digits after the +226 country code. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers.
Does Burkina Faso have a trunk prefix?
No. Dial the 8-digit local number directly after +226. Do not add a leading zero.
What time zone is Burkina Faso in?
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), UTC+0. Burkina Faso does not observe daylight saving time.
How much does it cost to call Burkina Faso?
With CallSky, economy mobile rates start from $0.52/min and landline rates from $0.70/min. Premium rates start from $0.76/min for mobile and $0.83/min for landline.
What language is spoken in Burkina Faso?
French is the official language used in business and government. Moore is the most widely spoken local language (by the Mossi people). Dioula is common in trade, especially in the western part of the country.
Need to call other countries in the region? Check our guides for Ivory Coast (+225), Niger (+227), and Mali (+223).