The +227 country code is for Niger. A landlocked country in West Africa with about 27 million people, most of them in the southern strip along the Niger River. Niamey, the capital, sits on the river in the southwest corner. Niger is the largest country in West Africa by area but roughly 80% of it is Sahara Desert or semi-arid Sahel, so almost everyone lives in the south. French is the official language, inherited from colonial rule, though Hausa and Zarma/Songhai are the most widely spoken languages in daily life. The country is one of the youngest on earth by median age (about 15 years old) and has the world's highest fertility rate. Don't confuse Niger the country with Nigeria -- they share a border and a river name, but +227 is Niger and +234 is Nigeria.
Quick answer: The country code +227 is for Niger. Phone numbers are 8 digits after +227. Mobile numbers start with 8, 9, or 7:
+227 96 XX XX XX. Landlines start with 20:+227 20 XX XX XX. There is no trunk prefix -- dial the number exactly as written.
How to call Niger: quick reference
Niger does not use a trunk prefix. The number you see locally is the same number you dial internationally, just add +227 in front. No leading 0 to drop.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +227 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-227-[local number] |
| UK | 00-227-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-227-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-227-[local number] |
| France | 00-227-[local number] |
Understanding Niger phone numbers
All Niger phone numbers are 8 digits after the country code. The first two digits tell you whether it is a mobile or landline and which carrier it belongs to.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers are 8 digits starting with 8, 9, or 7. The first two digits identify the carrier:
- 96, 97: Airtel Niger
- 80, 81, 82, 83, 84: Moov Africa (formerly Moov/Telecel)
- 90, 91, 92, 93, 94: Zamani Telecom (Niger Telecoms)
- 70, 71, 72, 73: Orange Niger (formerly Sahelcom)
All mobile numbers are dialed the same way domestically and internationally (just add +227 for international).
Landline numbers
Landlines all start with 20 and are 8 digits total. Most landlines are in Niamey. Landline infrastructure outside the capital is limited -- most Nigeriens rely on mobile phones even in towns that technically have fixed-line service.
Mobile carriers in Niger
Niger has four mobile operators competing for a market where mobile penetration is still relatively low compared to coastal West African countries.
Airtel Niger
The market leader with the widest coverage. Airtel inherited the old Celtel/Zain network and has the best infrastructure across the populated south. Prefixes 96 and 97. If you are calling someone in a smaller town, there is a good chance they are on Airtel.
Moov Africa
The second-largest operator, part of the Maroc Telecom group. Previously known as Moov and before that Telecel. Prefixes starting with 8 (80-84). Strong in Niamey and the main towns along the national highways.
Orange Niger
Formerly Sahelcom, acquired by Orange. Prefixes starting with 7 (70-73). Competitive in Niamey but coverage thins out faster in rural areas compared to Airtel.
Zamani Telecom
The state-backed operator, also known as Niger Telecoms. Prefixes starting with 9 (90-94). Has a smaller subscriber base but is the main provider of landline service through the 20 prefix.
Don't confuse +227 with nearby codes
The +227 code gets confused with a few neighbors, and one confusion is far more common than the rest:
| Code | Country | Why it's confusing |
|---|---|---|
| +234 | Nigeria | The big one. Niger and Nigeria share a border and a river name. People confuse the countries constantly, let alone the codes. |
| +226 | Burkina Faso | Off by one digit. Neighboring country to the south. |
| +228 | Togo | Also off by one digit. Same West African +22X block. |
| +223 | Mali | Neighboring country to the west, similar code range. |
The Niger/Nigeria mix-up is the one to watch. +227 is Niger (the landlocked Francophone country). +234 is Nigeria (the large Anglophone country on the coast). If you dial +234 by mistake, you will reach someone in Nigeria, not Niger.
Time zone considerations
Niger uses West Africa Time (WAT), UTC+1 year-round. No daylight saving time changes.
| Your location | Time difference | When it's 9 AM in Niamey |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | +6 hours | 3:00 AM in New York |
| US West Coast (PST) | +9 hours | 12:00 AM (midnight) in LA |
| UK (GMT) | +1 hour | 8:00 AM in London |
| France (CET) | Same time | 9:00 AM in Paris |
| Nigeria (WAT) | Same time | 9:00 AM in Lagos |
| Australia (AEDT) | -10 hours | 7:00 PM in Sydney |
Niger and France are only one hour apart during French winter time, which makes scheduling calls with the large Nigerien community in France straightforward.
Communication in Niger
Business hours and language
Business hours are roughly 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday, with a long midday break from about 12:30 to 3:00 PM that most people observe -- it is simply too hot to work through the middle of the day for much of the year. Government offices follow similar hours. French is the language of business and administration, but many people in the south speak Hausa as their first language, and Zarma/Songhai is common in the west around Niamey.
Communication patterns
Mobile phones are the primary communication tool. Many Nigeriens use "beeping" (flashing) -- calling and hanging up after one ring as a signal for the other person to call back. This is a cost-saving practice that is common across West Africa. WhatsApp is growing but data costs are relatively high, so voice calls and SMS are still more common than in wealthier African countries. Radio remains the most important broadcast medium, especially for reaching rural populations.
Network quality
Coverage in Niamey and the main towns (Zinder, Maradi, Tahoua, Agadez) is reasonable on 3G and sometimes 4G. Outside those areas, coverage drops quickly. The northern desert regions (Agadez, Bilma, the Ténéré) have very limited or no coverage. Many villages in the Sahel zone have coverage only if they are near a main road. Power outages are frequent, and many cell towers run on diesel generators that sometimes run out of fuel, causing temporary blackouts in coverage.
The Niger diaspora
Niger has a significant diaspora, driven largely by economic migration and the country's proximity to wealthier West African and North African neighbors.
Where they went
Nigeria is the largest destination by far. The border between Niger and Nigeria runs through Hausa-speaking territory, and people cross it constantly for trade and family. Millions of Nigeriens live or work in northern Nigeria (Kano, Katsina, Sokoto). The cultural and linguistic overlap means these communities stay closely connected.
Ivory Coast and other coastal West African countries have drawn Nigerien migrants for decades, especially to Abidjan. Many work in agriculture and informal trade. Togo, Benin, and Ghana also have Nigerien communities.
France has the largest Nigerien community outside Africa. Concentrated in Paris and its suburbs, also in Lyon and Marseille. The colonial connection means French bureaucracy and language are familiar, and many Nigerien students go to French universities.
Libya and Algeria have historically drawn Nigerien migrant workers, especially from the Tuareg communities in the north. The Libyan civil war disrupted this pattern significantly.
Why they call
Family calls are the main driver. Most Nigeriens abroad are supporting families back home with remittances, and phone calls accompany the money transfers. Calls to Niamey, Zinder, and Maradi are the most common destinations. Friday after prayers and Sunday afternoons are peak calling times. For the Hausa-speaking community split across the Niger-Nigeria border, calls between the two countries are an everyday occurrence.
Dialing examples
Calling an Airtel mobile in Niamey
Local number: 96 12 34 56. Dial: +227 96 12 34 56. From a US landline: 011 227 96 12 34 56.
Calling a landline in Niamey
Local number: 20 34 56 78. Dial: +227 20 34 56 78. From France: 00 227 20 34 56 78.
Calling a Moov mobile
Local number: 80 56 78 90. Dial: +227 80 56 78 90. From the UK: 00 227 80 56 78 90.
Calling an Orange mobile
Local number: 70 12 34 56. Dial: +227 70 12 34 56. From Australia: 0011 227 70 12 34 56.
Common mistakes to avoid
Dialing +234 (Nigeria) instead of +227 (Niger)
This is the most common mistake. Niger and Nigeria are different countries with different country codes. If you hear someone answer in English or Pidgin, you probably dialed Nigeria (+234) by accident. Niger is French-speaking.
Adding a trunk prefix that does not exist
Niger has no trunk prefix. Unlike many African countries, there is no leading 0 to add or remove. The 8-digit number you see is the full number -- just put +227 in front of it.
Calling during the midday break
Businesses in Niger typically close from about 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. If you are calling a business or government office, avoid this window. Personal calls during midday are fine, but the person may be resting.
Expecting reliable connectivity in the north
If you are trying to reach someone in Agadez, the Ténéré Desert, or anywhere in the northern half of the country, coverage is very limited. Arrange a call time in advance if possible, or try reaching them when they are in a town with service.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +227 country code?
+227 is Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa. Not to be confused with Nigeria, which is +234.
How do I call a Niger mobile number from the US?
Dial +227 followed by the 8-digit mobile number. For example: +227 96 12 34 56. From a US landline, dial 011 227 96 12 34 56. There is no trunk prefix to drop.
Is there a trunk prefix in Niger?
No. Niger does not use a trunk prefix. The local number is the same as the international number minus the country code. Just add +227 in front of the 8-digit number.
What is the difference between +227 and +234?
+227 is Niger (French-speaking, landlocked, West Africa) and +234 is Nigeria (English-speaking, coastal, West Africa). They are neighboring countries but completely different dialing destinations.
What language is spoken in Niger?
French is the official language and used in business and government. Hausa is the most widely spoken language in daily life, especially in the south and east. Zarma/Songhai is common around Niamey and the west.
For more West African dialing guides, see +223 Mali, +234 Nigeria, or browse the full country codes directory.