The +241 country code is for Gabon, the oil-producing Central African nation on the Atlantic coast. Gabon has about 2.3 million people, most concentrated in Libreville and a handful of other cities, with dense rainforest covering most of the interior. Phone numbers are 7 digits after the country code, there's no trunk prefix when dialing internationally, and three mobile carriers split the market. If you're calling Gabon from abroad, the main thing to get right is the 2-digit operator prefix at the start of the number.
Quick answer: The +241 country code is for Gabon. Phone numbers are 7 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers typically start with 02, 04, 05, 06, or 07. Landlines start with 01. Domestically, a leading 0 is used (making 8 digits), but drop the 0 when calling from abroad. Dial +241 followed by the 7-digit number.
How to call Gabon: quick reference
When calling Gabon from abroad, drop the leading 0 that locals use for domestic calls and dial +241 followed by the 7-digit number. Your exit code depends on where you're calling from.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +241 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-241-[local number] |
| UK | 00-241-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-241-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-241-[local number] |
| France | 00-241-[local number] |
Understanding Gabon phone numbers
Gabon phone numbers are 7 digits after the +241 country code. The first two digits identify the operator or line type.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers use 2-digit operator prefixes followed by 5 more digits. The format from abroad is +241 XX XXXXX. The prefix tells you which carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier |
|---|---|
| 02, 07 | Airtel Gabon |
| 04 | Moov Africa (formerly Azur) |
| 05, 06 | Gabon Telecom Mobile (Libertis) |
Landline numbers
Landline numbers start with 01 and are operated by Gabon Telecom. Most landlines are in Libreville, Port-Gentil, and Franceville. The format is +241 01 XX XXX.
Trunk prefix
Domestically, callers dial 0 before the number, making it 8 digits (e.g., 07 XX XX XXX for Airtel mobile). When calling from abroad, drop the leading 0 and dial +241 7 XX XX XX. Note: the 0 is part of the domestic prefix, not part of the number itself.
Mobile carriers in Gabon
Airtel Gabon
Airtel is the largest mobile carrier in Gabon by subscriber count. Numbers start with 07 or 02. Airtel has the widest network coverage, including some reach into smaller towns along the main highways. Mobile money through Airtel Money is widely used for payments and transfers.
Gabon Telecom (Libertis)
Gabon Telecom is the state-backed operator handling both fixed-line (01 prefix) and mobile service under the Libertis brand (05, 06 prefixes). As the legacy operator, it has infrastructure in all major cities but has lost mobile market share to Airtel over the years.
Moov Africa Gabon
Moov Africa (formerly Azur) operates with the 04 prefix. It's the smallest of the three carriers but offers competitive pricing. Coverage is concentrated in Libreville, Port-Gentil, and Franceville, with less reach in rural areas.
Don't confuse +241 with nearby codes
Gabon's +241 sits right next to its neighbor's code, and the two get swapped frequently.
| Code | Country | Why it's confusing |
|---|---|---|
| +240 | Equatorial Guinea | One digit off. Neighboring country sharing a land border. |
| +242 | Republic of the Congo | One digit off. Also a neighbor to Gabon's east. |
| +243 | DR Congo | Two digits off. Different country from Republic of the Congo. |
The +240 Equatorial Guinea mix-up is the most common. Both countries share a border, both are in Central Africa, and both are French/Spanish-speaking oil producers. Verify the code before dialing.
Time zone considerations
Gabon uses West Africa Time (WAT), which is UTC+1 year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your time zone | When it's 9 AM in Libreville | When it's 6 PM in Libreville |
|---|---|---|
| US Eastern (EST/EDT) | 3:00 AM / 4:00 AM | 12:00 PM / 1:00 PM |
| US Pacific (PST/PDT) | 12:00 AM / 1:00 AM | 9:00 AM / 10:00 AM |
| UK (GMT/BST) | 8:00 AM / 9:00 AM | 5:00 PM / 6:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CET/CEST) | 9:00 AM / 10:00 AM | 6:00 PM / 7:00 PM |
| Australia East (AEST/AEDT) | 6:00 PM / 7:00 PM | 3:00 AM / 4:00 AM next |
For callers in France (which has close ties to Gabon), the time difference is zero in winter (both CET) and one hour in summer when France moves to CEST.
Communication in Gabon
Business hours and availability
Offices in Gabon generally run from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM or 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The earlier start reflects the equatorial climate -- people prefer to work before the afternoon heat. Banks typically close by 3:00 PM. Some businesses are open Saturday mornings. Government offices can be difficult to reach by phone; in-person visits are often more reliable.
Network quality
Mobile coverage in Libreville, Port-Gentil, and Franceville is decent. Outside these cities, coverage thins out quickly. Much of Gabon is dense rainforest with no cell towers. Calls within Libreville usually go through without issues, but expect dropped calls if either party is outside a major town. Airtel generally has the best reach beyond the cities.
Language
French is the official language and what you'll encounter in business and government. Fang is the most widely spoken local language, particularly in the north. English is uncommon outside international hotels and some oil industry offices. If you're making a cold call to a Gabonese number, expect French.
The Gabon diaspora
Where Gabonese settled
France is the primary destination for Gabonese abroad, due to colonial history, shared language, and educational ties. Many Gabonese students go to French universities and some stay. Smaller communities exist in Cameroon, Senegal, and other francophone African countries. The diaspora is relatively small -- Gabon's population is modest and its economy (driven by oil) has historically been one of the wealthier in sub-Saharan Africa, reducing emigration pressure.
Why they call home
Students in France calling family in Libreville make up a large share of diaspora calls. Calls also spike around the Fete Nationale (August 17) and end-of-year holidays. Since internet quality in Gabon is inconsistent outside Libreville, voice calls remain more reliable than video calling for reaching relatives in smaller cities.
Dialing examples
Calling a Libreville landline
To call a Libreville landline with domestic number 01 44 12 34:
Dial +241 1 44 12 34 (drop the leading 0).
Calling an Airtel mobile
To call an Airtel mobile number 07 12 34 56:
Dial +241 7 12 34 56 (drop the leading 0).
Calling a Libertis mobile
To call a Gabon Telecom/Libertis mobile 06 78 90 12:
Dial +241 6 78 90 12 (drop the leading 0).
Calling from a US landline
To call the same Libreville landline from a US landline:
Dial 011-241-1-44-12-34 (011 is the US exit code).
Common mistakes to avoid
Leaving the trunk prefix on
Gabonese dial 0 before the number domestically (e.g., 07 12 34 56). From abroad, that 0 must be dropped. Dialing +241 07 12 34 56 gives you 8 digits instead of 7, and the call won't connect.
Dialing +240 instead of +241
Equatorial Guinea is +240, Gabon is +241. They share a border, and the codes are one digit apart. If your call reaches Malabo instead of Libreville, check the country code.
Not knowing the operator prefix
Unlike some countries where mobile numbers all start with the same digit, Gabon uses different 2-digit prefixes per carrier (02, 04, 05, 06, 07). If someone gives you a number without the prefix, you'll need to ask which carrier they're on to dial correctly.
Expecting good coverage outside cities
Gabon is 85% rainforest. If someone travels outside Libreville, Port-Gentil, or Franceville, they may be out of coverage entirely. If you can't reach them, it may not be a wrong number -- they may just be in an area with no signal.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +241 code?
Gabon. Any number starting with +241 is a Gabonese number.
How many digits are in a Gabonese phone number?
Seven digits after the +241 country code. Domestically, a leading 0 is added (8 digits total), but you drop the 0 when calling from abroad.
What language is spoken in Gabon?
French is the official language and is used in business, government, and daily life. Fang is the most common local language.
Which carrier has the best coverage in Gabon?
Airtel Gabon has the widest coverage. Gabon Telecom (Libertis) covers major cities well. Moov Africa is mostly limited to the largest urban areas.
Can I reach someone in rural Gabon by phone?
Possibly not. Most of Gabon is dense rainforest with no cell coverage. If the person is in Libreville, Port-Gentil, or Franceville, you should be able to reach them. Outside those areas, coverage is unreliable.
What's the best time to call Gabon from the US?
Morning US Eastern time (7-10 AM EST) reaches Gabon in the early afternoon (1-4 PM WAT), which is within business hours. US evening calls reach Gabon in the early morning hours, which is too early for most people.
For more dialing guides, see our complete country code directory. You may also find these nearby guides useful: +240 Equatorial Guinea and +237 Cameroon.