The +232 country code is for Sierra Leone, a West African nation of about 8.5 million people on the Atlantic coast. The capital, Freetown, was founded in 1792 as a settlement for freed slaves, and that history still shapes the country's culture and language. English is official, but Krio (a Creole based on English) is what most people actually speak day to day.
Sierra Leone's phone system uses 8-digit numbers after the country code, with a trunk prefix of 0 that you drop when calling from abroad. Four mobile operators compete for subscribers, and mobile penetration is high relative to the country's income level. Landlines are rare outside Freetown.
Quick answer: The +232 country code is for Sierra Leone. Phone numbers are 8 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 25-34, 70-73, or 88. Landline numbers start with 22. Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad (so 030 XXX XXX becomes +232 30 XXX XXX).
How to call Sierra Leone: quick reference
Sierra Leone uses the trunk prefix 0 for domestic calls. When calling from outside the country, drop the 0 and dial +232 followed by the 8-digit number.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +232 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-232-[local number] |
| UK | 00-232-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-232-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-232-[local number] |
| France | 00-232-[local number] |
Understanding Sierra Leone phone numbers
Sierra Leone phone numbers are 8 digits long after the +232 country code. Locally, you add a 0 in front (making 9 digits). When calling internationally, drop that 0.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers make up the vast majority of phone lines in Sierra Leone. The first two digits after the country code identify the carrier:
- 30-34, 88 - Africell
- 25-28 - Orange SL
- 70-73 - Qcell
Format: +232 XX XXX XXX (8 digits total).
Landline numbers
Landlines start with 22 and are mostly limited to Freetown and a few provincial towns. Format: +232 22 XXX XXX. Outside the capital, fixed-line infrastructure is minimal, and most people rely entirely on mobile phones.
| Type | Starts with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile (Africell) | 30-34, 88 | +232 30 123 456 |
| Mobile (Orange) | 25-28 | +232 25 123 456 |
| Mobile (Qcell) | 70-73 | +232 70 123 456 |
| Landline (Freetown) | 22 | +232 22 234 567 |
Mobile carriers in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has four mobile operators. Africell dominates the market, followed by Orange. Coverage in Freetown and major towns is decent, but rural areas can be spotty.
Africell
The market leader with prefixes 30-34 and 88. Africell has the widest network coverage across Sierra Leone, including many rural areas. Most Sierra Leoneans have an Africell SIM, even if they also carry a second SIM from another operator. Africell also offers mobile money services (Afrimoney), which many people use for payments and transfers.
Orange SL
The second-largest operator, using prefixes 25-28. Orange (formerly Airtel, which acquired Zain's Sierra Leone operations) has good coverage in urban areas and along major roads. Orange Money is the competing mobile money service.
Qcell
A smaller operator with prefixes 70-73. Qcell has been growing its network but coverage is more limited outside Freetown and the western area. Often offers aggressive pricing to attract subscribers from larger competitors.
Don't confuse +232 with nearby codes
Sierra Leone's +232 sits between two neighboring country codes that are each one digit away. Misdialing is common.
| Code | Country | Why it's confusing |
|---|---|---|
| +233 | Ghana | One digit different (232 vs 233). The most common mixup. Both are English-speaking West African countries. |
| +231 | Liberia | One digit different (232 vs 231). Liberia is Sierra Leone's southern neighbor, and cross-border calls are frequent. |
| +234 | Nigeria | Close in the 23x range. Nigeria is the regional giant, so +234 numbers are everywhere. |
| +230 | Mauritius | Same first three digits. Much less likely but occasionally typed by mistake. |
The +232/+233 confusion is the most frequent. If you hear someone answer in Twi or Akan instead of Krio or English with a Sierra Leonean accent, you've probably reached Ghana.
Time zone considerations
Sierra Leone uses Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC+0) year-round. No daylight saving time. This makes time conversion simple for UK callers (same time zone in winter, 1 hour behind during BST).
| Your location | Time difference | When it's 9 AM in Freetown |
|---|---|---|
| New York (EST) | GMT is 5 hours ahead | 4:00 AM in New York |
| Los Angeles (PST) | GMT is 8 hours ahead | 1:00 AM in LA |
| London (GMT) | Same time zone | 9:00 AM in London |
| Dubai (GST) | GMT is 4 hours behind | 1:00 PM in Dubai |
| Sydney (AEDT) | GMT is 11 hours behind | 8:00 PM in Sydney |
For US callers, the time gap is manageable. A 5 PM call from New York reaches Freetown at 10 PM, which is late but not unreasonable. Mornings in Freetown overlap with late evening on the US West Coast.
Communication in Sierra Leone
Business hours and communication style
Government offices and businesses generally operate 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Some businesses close for a lunch break between 12 and 2 PM. Saturday mornings are common for shops and markets. English is used for formal business, but expect Krio in casual conversation. If someone answers the phone with "Aw di bodi?" ("How's the body?"), that's a standard Krio greeting.
Network quality
Call quality in Freetown and major towns like Bo, Kenema, and Makeni is generally acceptable. Rural areas can have weak or no signal, especially in the eastern provinces near the Guinea and Liberia borders. Power outages are frequent across the country, so towers sometimes go offline. If a call drops, try again in a few minutes.
Mobile money and "flashing"
Mobile money (Africell's Afrimoney, Orange Money) is how most people handle payments. "Flashing" or "beeping" is also common: someone calls and hangs up after one ring, signaling that they want you to call them back. If you see a missed call from a Sierra Leonean number, that's likely what happened.
The Sierra Leone diaspora
The civil war (1991-2002) and the Ebola outbreak (2014-2016) drove significant emigration. An estimated 200,000-300,000 Sierra Leoneans live abroad.
United Kingdom
The UK has the largest Sierra Leonean diaspora, concentrated in London (especially Southwark, Lewisham, and Woolwich). Colonial history created the connection: Sierra Leone was a British colony until 1961. The Krio community in London is well-established, with community associations and cultural events. Calls between London and Freetown are among the busiest international routes for +232.
United States
The US community is centered around the Washington DC/Maryland/Virginia area, with smaller populations in New York, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. Many arrived as refugees during and after the civil war. Family ties remain strong, and remittances from the US are a major source of income for households back home.
Guinea and neighboring countries
Guinea shares a long border with Sierra Leone, and cross-border movement between the two countries is constant. The Mende and Temne ethnic groups span both sides. Many Sierra Leoneans also live in The Gambia, Ghana, and Nigeria for work or education.
Dialing examples
Calling an Africell mobile from the US
The local number is 030 123 456 (with trunk prefix). Drop the 0 for international calls.
From a US mobile: +232 30 123 456
From a US landline: 011-232-30-123-456
Calling a Freetown landline from the UK
The local number is 022 234 567. Drop the leading 0.
From a UK mobile: +232 22 234 567
From a UK landline: 00-232-22-234-567
Calling an Orange mobile from Germany
The local number is 025 678 901. Drop the 0.
From a German mobile: +232 25 678 901
From a German landline: 00-232-25-678-901
Local calls within Sierra Leone
Keep the trunk prefix 0. To call that Africell mobile locally: 030 123 456. To call the Freetown landline: 022 234 567.
Common mistakes to avoid
Keeping the trunk prefix 0
The most common error. Locally, you dial 030 123 456. Internationally, you must drop the 0: +232 30 123 456. Dialing +232-0-30-123-456 gives you 9 digits after the country code, which is one too many and won't connect.
Dialing +233 (Ghana) instead of +232
One digit apart. If your call connects to someone speaking Twi or Akan, you've reached Ghana. Double-check: Sierra Leone is +232, Ghana is +233.
Expecting a landline to work outside Freetown
Fixed-line infrastructure barely exists outside the capital. If someone gives you a number starting with 22, it's almost certainly in Freetown. For contacts in Bo, Kenema, Makeni, or rural areas, ask for their mobile number instead.
Not accounting for power outages
Sierra Leone has unreliable electricity. Phones go dead when they can't charge, and cell towers drop out during extended blackouts. If you can't reach someone, it may not be a wrong number. Try again later, or at a different time of day when power is more likely to be on.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +232 code?
Sierra Leone, a West African country on the Atlantic coast with a population of about 8.5 million. The capital is Freetown.
How many digits are in a Sierra Leone phone number?
Eight digits after the +232 country code. Locally, numbers are dialed with a leading 0 (9 digits total), but you drop the 0 when calling internationally.
What language will I hear when calling Sierra Leone?
English is official and used in business, but most everyday conversation is in Krio, an English-based Creole. You'll likely hear Krio greetings like "Aw di bodi?" when someone picks up.
What's the difference between +232 and +233?
+232 is Sierra Leone, +233 is Ghana. They differ by one digit and are the most commonly confused pair in the 23x range.
Why can't I reach someone in Sierra Leone?
Power outages are frequent. If someone's phone is off, it may be a charging issue rather than a wrong number. Cell towers also go offline during extended blackouts. Try again at a different time.
For more West African dialing guides, see our articles on Ghana (+233), Liberia (+231), and Nigeria (+234), or browse the full country code directory.