The +240 country code is for Equatorial Guinea, the only country in Africa where Spanish is the official language. The country has two parts: a mainland region (Río Muni) bordering Cameroon and Gabon, and several islands in the Gulf of Guinea. The capital, Malabo, is on the island of Bioko -- not on the mainland.
Oil money transformed Equatorial Guinea from one of Africa's poorest countries into one of its wealthiest per capita, though that wealth is unevenly distributed. The telecom sector has two main operators, and mobile coverage is reasonable in urban areas but limited elsewhere.
Quick answer: Dial +240 followed by the 9-digit local number. There is no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 222 or 555. Landlines start with 333 (Malabo) or 335 (Bata).
How to call Equatorial Guinea: quick reference
The international exit code varies by country. From any mobile phone, the + prefix handles this automatically.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +240 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-240-[local number] |
| UK | 00-240-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-240-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-240-[local number] |
| France | 00-240-[local number] |
Understanding Equatorial Guinea phone numbers
Equatorial Guinea phone numbers are 9 digits after the +240 country code. No trunk prefix.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers follow the format XXX XXX XXX. The first three digits identify the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier |
|---|---|
| 222 | GETESA (Orange) |
| 555 | Muni (HiTs EG) |
Landline numbers
Landlines also use 9 digits. The prefix identifies the location:
| Prefix | Location |
|---|---|
| 333 | Malabo (Bioko island) |
| 335 | Bata (mainland/Río Muni) |
Landlines are uncommon. Most calls go to mobiles.
Mobile carriers in Equatorial Guinea
GETESA (Orange Equatorial Guinea)
The older and larger operator, partially state-owned and partnered with Orange. GETESA has the wider network coverage across both the mainland and Bioko island. Mobile prefix: 222.
Muni (HiTs EG)
The second operator, which entered the market more recently. Muni has been expanding but coverage is less complete than GETESA, especially outside Malabo and Bata. Mobile prefix: 555.
Both carriers sell prepaid SIM cards. Getting a SIM may require ID and registration. Top-up credit is available at kiosks and small shops in towns.
Don't confuse +240 with nearby codes
Equatorial Guinea sits in the +24X range with its neighbors:
| Code | Country |
|---|---|
| +239 | São Tomé and Príncipe |
| +240 | Equatorial Guinea |
| +241 | Gabon |
| +242 | Republic of the Congo |
| +237 | Cameroon |
The +240/+241 mix-up is most common since Equatorial Guinea and Gabon share a border on the mainland. Cameroon (+237) borders Equatorial Guinea to the north, so that's another potential mistype.
Time zone considerations
Equatorial Guinea uses West Africa Time (WAT), UTC+1 year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | EG is 6 hours ahead | 8 AM - 12 PM your time |
| US West Coast (PST) | EG is 9 hours ahead | 7 AM - 10 AM your time |
| UK (GMT) | EG is 1 hour ahead | 9 AM - 8 PM your time |
| Spain (CET) | Same time zone | 9 AM - 9 PM |
| Australia (AEST) | EG is 9 hours behind | 5 PM - 9 PM your time |
Communication in Equatorial Guinea
Business hours
Government offices and businesses operate Monday to Friday, roughly 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Some private businesses keep longer hours. Saturday mornings are common for markets and informal trade.
Language on the phone
Spanish is the official language and what you'll hear in business and government. French and Portuguese are also recognized as official languages (Equatorial Guinea joined the Francophonie and the CPLP), but Spanish is the default in daily life. Local languages like Fang (mainland) and Bubi (Bioko) are spoken at home.
Network quality
Mobile coverage in Malabo and Bata is decent. Between these two cities, coverage is patchy. The mainland interior and smaller islands have weak or no signal. International call quality is generally acceptable from urban areas but can degrade in rural zones.
The Equatorial Guinea diaspora
Where Equatoguineans abroad live
Spain is the main destination, a legacy of colonial rule that lasted until 1968. Madrid and Barcelona have the largest communities. Many Equatoguineans also live in neighboring Cameroon and Gabon. Smaller groups are in France and the US (Houston and DC, drawn partly by the oil industry connection).
Why they call home
Family calls are the main driver. Equatorial Guinea's population is under 1.5 million, so the diaspora is small but tightly connected. People call to coordinate family matters and send money. The oil industry also generates business calls -- international workers in Malabo and Bata stay in contact with offices in Houston, London, and Paris.
Dialing examples
Calling a GETESA mobile in Malabo
Local number: 222 123 456
From a US mobile: +240 222 123 456
From a US landline: 011 240 222 123 456
Calling a landline in Bata
Local number: 335 012 345
From Spain: 00 240 335 012 345
From a mobile anywhere: +240 335 012 345
Calling a Muni mobile
Local number: 555 678 901
From the UK: 00 240 555 678 901
From Australia: 0011 240 555 678 901
Common mistakes to avoid
Dialing the wrong number of digits
Equatorial Guinea uses 9-digit numbers after +240. Many African countries use 8. If you're dialing only 8 digits, the call won't connect.
Confusing +240 with +241 (Gabon)
These neighboring countries have consecutive codes. If your call connects but you hear French instead of Spanish, you probably dialed Gabon by mistake.
Forgetting the capital is on an island
Malabo (333 prefix for landlines) is on Bioko island, not the mainland. Bata (335 prefix) is the largest mainland city. Make sure you're using the right prefix if calling a landline.
Expecting English
Equatorial Guinea is Spanish-speaking. English is not widely used outside the oil industry. If you're calling a business, prepare to speak Spanish or have a translator.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +240 code?
+240 is Equatorial Guinea. Any incoming call starting with +240 originates from Equatorial Guinea.
How many digits are in an Equatorial Guinea phone number?
9 digits after the +240 country code. A full international number looks like +240 XXX XXX XXX (12 digits total).
Is there a trunk prefix for Equatorial Guinea?
No. Dial +240 followed by all 9 digits directly.
What language is spoken in Equatorial Guinea?
Spanish is the main language. It's the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa. French and Portuguese are also official but less commonly used day to day.
Why won't my call to Equatorial Guinea connect?
Make sure you're dialing 9 digits (not 8) after +240. Check that you have the right prefix: 222 for GETESA mobile, 555 for Muni mobile, 333 for Malabo landline, 335 for Bata landline.
For more Equatorial Guinea calling info, see our Equatorial Guinea calling rates page or browse the full country codes directory.