The +236 country code is for the Central African Republic (CAR), a landlocked country in central Africa. To call anyone in the CAR from abroad, dial +236 before the local number.
Phone infrastructure in the CAR is almost entirely mobile-based. The fixed-line network, run by state telecom SOCATEL, barely functions outside central Bangui. Most people rely on mobile phones from one of the country's three operators. If you're calling the CAR from abroad, expect to reach a mobile number.
Quick answer: Dial +236 followed by the 8-digit local number. There is no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers typically start with 70, 72, 75, or 77. Landlines start with 21 (Bangui).
How to call Central African Republic: quick reference
The international exit code varies by country. From a mobile phone anywhere in the world, the + prefix handles this automatically.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +236 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-236-[local number] |
| UK | 00-236-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-236-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-236-[local number] |
| France | 00-236-[local number] |
Understanding Central African Republic phone numbers
All Central African Republic phone numbers are 8 digits after the +236 country code. There is no trunk prefix (no leading 0 to drop).
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers follow the format XX XX XX XX, where the first two digits identify the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier |
|---|---|
| 70, 72 | Orange Centrafrique |
| 75 | Telecel Centrafrique (Moov Africa) |
| 77 | NationLink (Azur) |
Landline numbers
Landlines start with 21 and are concentrated in Bangui. Outside the capital, fixed-line service is extremely limited. The format is 21 XX XX XX.
Area codes
The CAR does not use separate area codes. The leading digits of the 8-digit number indicate whether it's a mobile or landline call and which operator handles it.
Mobile carriers in Central African Republic
Orange Centrafrique
The largest mobile operator in the CAR. Orange acquired the former Telecel RCA network and provides the widest coverage, though service outside major towns is patchy. Prefixes: 70, 72.
Telecel Centrafrique (Moov Africa)
The second operator, part of the Moov Africa group. Coverage is mainly in Bangui and larger provincial capitals like Berbérati and Bambari. Prefix: 75.
NationLink Telecom (Azur)
The third operator with more limited coverage. Operates under the Azur brand in some areas. Prefix: 77.
All three carriers offer prepaid SIM cards, which is how most Central Africans access phone service. Network coverage outside urban centers can be unreliable.
Don't confuse +236 with nearby codes
Several Central African country codes sit close together in the +23X range:
| Code | Country |
|---|---|
| +235 | Chad |
| +236 | Central African Republic |
| +237 | Cameroon |
| +238 | Cape Verde |
| +239 | São Tomé and Príncipe |
The most common mix-up is between +235 (Chad) and +236 (CAR), since the two countries share a border and the codes are one digit apart. If your call doesn't connect, check which country you're actually trying to reach.
Time zone considerations
The Central African Republic uses West Africa Time (WAT), UTC+1 year-round. There is no daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | CAR is 6 hours ahead | 8 AM - 12 PM your time |
| US West Coast (PST) | CAR is 9 hours ahead | 7 AM - 10 AM your time |
| UK (GMT) | CAR is 1 hour ahead | 9 AM - 8 PM your time |
| France (CET) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 9 PM |
| Australia (AEST) | CAR is 9 hours behind | 5 PM - 9 PM your time |
Communication in Central African Republic
Business hours
Government offices and businesses in Bangui typically operate Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM local time. Many businesses close early on Friday. Saturday mornings are common for markets and informal commerce.
Communication patterns
French is the official language, and Sango is the national language spoken by most of the population. Phone conversations often mix both languages. When calling for business purposes, French is the default.
Mobile phone credit (recharge) is sold at small kiosks throughout Bangui and larger towns. Many people manage their credit carefully, so missed calls and callbacks are common. Don't be surprised if someone calls you back rather than answering immediately.
Network quality
Mobile coverage in Bangui is generally functional, though quality varies. Outside the capital and a few regional centers (Berbérati, Bambari, Bossangoa), coverage drops off. International calls to the CAR may experience delays or dropped connections, especially during peak hours or when calling rural areas.
The Central African Republic diaspora
Where the Central African diaspora lives
France hosts the largest Central African community abroad, a legacy of colonial ties. Paris and its suburbs are the main hub, with smaller communities in Lyon and Marseille. Neighboring countries -- Cameroon, Chad, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- also took in Central Africans who left due to ongoing instability. Smaller communities exist in the US (primarily Washington DC, New York, and Houston) and Canada.
Why they call home
Decades of political instability mean many diaspora members left under difficult circumstances. Phone calls home matter. People call to check on relatives' safety and coordinate financial support -- mobile money transfers are the main way to send money back. The French-based community is especially active in organizing around events back home.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile phone in Bangui (Orange)
Local number: 70 12 34 56
From a US mobile: +236 70 12 34 56
From a US landline: 011 236 70 12 34 56
Calling a landline in Bangui
Local number: 21 61 23 45
From the UK: 00 236 21 61 23 45
From a mobile anywhere: +236 21 61 23 45
Calling a Telecel mobile (Moov Africa)
Local number: 75 98 76 54
From Germany: 00 236 75 98 76 54
From Australia: 0011 236 75 98 76 54
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix that doesn't exist
The CAR has no trunk prefix. Don't add a 0 before the number when dialing internationally. The correct format is +236 followed by all 8 digits directly.
Confusing +235 (Chad) with +236 (CAR)
These neighboring countries have consecutive country codes. Double-check which one you need. If your call connects but the person doesn't speak the language you expect, you may have dialed the wrong code.
Expecting the call to connect on the first try
Telecom infrastructure in the CAR is limited. Calls may fail due to network congestion, power outages affecting cell towers, or the recipient being out of coverage. Try again after a few minutes if your first attempt doesn't go through.
Calling at the wrong time
The CAR is UTC+1. If you're calling from the US West Coast at 5 PM, it's already 2 AM in Bangui. Check the time difference before dialing.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +236 code?
The +236 country code belongs to the Central African Republic (CAR). Any incoming call from a number starting with +236 originates from the CAR.
How many digits are in a Central African Republic phone number?
8 digits after the +236 country code. A complete international number looks like +236 XX XX XX XX (total 11 digits including the country code).
Is there a trunk prefix for the CAR?
No. The Central African Republic does not use a trunk prefix. Dial +236 followed by all 8 digits of the local number.
What language should I expect when calling the CAR?
French is the official language used in business and government. Sango is the national language spoken by most of the population in everyday life. Many people speak both.
Why is my call to the CAR not connecting?
Telecom infrastructure in the CAR is limited. Power outages, network congestion, and spotty coverage outside Bangui can all cause failed calls. Try again after a few minutes, and make sure you're dialing the correct 8-digit number after +236.
For more Central African calling info, see our Central African Republic calling rates page or browse the full country codes directory.