The +253 country code is for Djibouti, a small country on the Horn of Africa wedged between Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Despite its size (roughly the area of New Jersey), Djibouti punches above its weight geopolitically -- it hosts military bases for the US, France, China, Japan, and Italy, all drawn by its position at the entrance to the Red Sea.
Telecom in Djibouti is a state monopoly. Djibouti Telecom is the only operator, running both mobile and fixed-line services. There's no carrier choice, which simplifies dialing but means you're at the mercy of one network for coverage and pricing.
Quick answer: Dial +253 followed by the 8-digit local number. There is no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 77. Landlines start with 21 (Djibouti city).
How to call Djibouti: 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 | +253 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-253-[local number] |
| UK | 00-253-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-253-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-253-[local number] |
| France | 00-253-[local number] |
Understanding Djibouti phone numbers
Djibouti phone numbers are 8 digits after the +253 country code. No trunk prefix.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 77 and follow the format 77 XX XX XX. Since Djibouti Telecom is the only carrier, all mobile numbers use this prefix.
Landline numbers
Landlines start with 21 and are concentrated in Djibouti city (where most of the population lives). The format is 21 XX XX XX. Some government and business lines use other 2X prefixes.
Area codes
Djibouti doesn't use separate area codes. The leading digits of the 8-digit number tell you whether it's mobile (77) or fixed (21).
Mobile carriers in Djibouti
Djibouti Telecom (sole operator)
Djibouti Telecom is the state-owned monopoly running all telecom services in the country -- mobile, fixed-line, and internet. There are no alternative carriers. The company operates under the Evatis brand for mobile services.
Coverage in Djibouti city is good. Outside the capital, service gets spotty. The road corridor between Djibouti city and Ali Sabieh has coverage, as does the area around Tadjoura and Obock on the northern coast. The interior desert regions have minimal or no signal.
Prepaid SIM cards are available at Djibouti Telecom shops and authorized dealers. Top-up credit is sold at kiosks throughout the city.
Don't confuse +253 with nearby codes
Djibouti's neighbors in the Horn of Africa have nearby country codes:
| Code | Country |
|---|---|
| +251 | Ethiopia |
| +252 | Somalia |
| +253 | Djibouti |
| +254 | Kenya |
| +255 | Tanzania |
The +251 (Ethiopia) and +252 (Somalia) codes are the ones most likely to cause confusion, since both countries border Djibouti and many Djiboutians have family connections across these borders.
Time zone considerations
Djibouti uses East Africa Time (EAT), UTC+3 year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Djibouti is 8 hours ahead | 7 AM - 11 AM your time |
| US West Coast (PST) | Djibouti is 11 hours ahead | 6 AM - 9 AM your time |
| UK (GMT) | Djibouti is 3 hours ahead | 8 AM - 6 PM your time |
| France (CET) | Djibouti is 2 hours ahead | 8 AM - 7 PM your time |
| Australia (AEST) | Djibouti is 7 hours behind | 4 PM - 9 PM your time |
Communication in Djibouti
Business hours
Businesses and government offices in Djibouti city operate Saturday to Thursday, roughly 7:30 AM to 1:30 PM. The extreme heat (regularly above 40°C / 104°F from June to August) means everything shuts down in the early afternoon. Friday is the day off. During Ramadan, working hours are shorter.
Language on the phone
French and Arabic are the official languages. Somali and Afar are the main local languages -- which one depends on the person's ethnicity. In business, French is standard. When calling government offices or companies, start in French.
Network quality
Call quality in Djibouti city is generally fine. The country benefits from multiple undersea fiber-optic cables passing through its waters (it sits on one of the world's busiest shipping lanes), so international connectivity is better than you might expect for a country this size. Outside the capital, mobile coverage drops off in the desert interior.
The Djibouti diaspora
Where Djiboutians abroad live
France is the primary destination, particularly Paris and its suburbs. The colonial connection runs deep -- France maintained a military base in Djibouti since independence in 1977 and it's still the largest French base in Africa. Smaller Djiboutian communities exist in Canada (Montreal, Ottawa), the UK, and across the Gulf states, particularly in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Why they call home
Djibouti is a small country (under a million people) where family ties are strong. Diaspora members call to stay in touch with extended family and send remittances. The Somali and Afar community networks that cross national borders also generate a lot of phone traffic between Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Dialing examples
Calling a mobile in Djibouti city
Local number: 77 12 34 56
From a US mobile: +253 77 12 34 56
From a US landline: 011 253 77 12 34 56
Calling a landline in Djibouti city
Local number: 21 35 67 89
From France: 00 253 21 35 67 89
From a mobile anywhere: +253 21 35 67 89
Calling from Australia
Local number: 77 98 76 54
From an Australian landline: 0011 253 77 98 76 54
From an Australian mobile: +253 77 98 76 54
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing +253 with nearby Horn of Africa codes
+251 is Ethiopia, +252 is Somalia. If your contact is across the border in Dire Dawa (Ethiopia) or Hargeisa (Somaliland), you need a different code. Double-check which country they're actually in.
Adding a trunk prefix
Djibouti has no trunk prefix. Dial +253 followed by all 8 digits. Don't add a 0.
Calling during the afternoon shutdown
Most of Djibouti shuts down from about 1:30 PM to 4 PM due to extreme heat. If you're trying to reach a business, call in the morning (local time).
Expecting carrier choice
There's only one carrier -- Djibouti Telecom. If you see different number ranges, they're all the same network. This also means there's no porting numbers between carriers.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +253 code?
+253 is Djibouti. Any incoming call starting with +253 originates from Djibouti.
How many digits are in a Djibouti phone number?
8 digits after the +253 country code. A full international number looks like +253 XX XX XX XX (11 digits total).
Is there a trunk prefix for Djibouti?
No. Dial +253 followed by the 8-digit number directly.
How many mobile carriers does Djibouti have?
One. Djibouti Telecom is the state monopoly. All mobile and landline services go through them.
What language will I hear when calling Djibouti?
French is standard for business. Somali and Afar are the main everyday languages. Arabic is used in some formal and religious settings.
For more Djibouti calling info, see our Djibouti calling rates page or browse the full country codes directory.