The +257 country code is for Burundi, a landlocked country in East Africa bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, and the DR Congo. If you're calling someone in Bujumbura or Gitega (the political capital since 2019), you'll need to dial +257 before the local number. Most Burundians use mobile phones; landlines are rare outside major cities.
Quick answer: Dial +257 followed by the 8-digit local number. Burundi has no trunk prefix. Mobile numbers start with 6, 7, or 3. Landline numbers start with 22. All numbers are 8 digits after the country code.
How to call Burundi: quick reference
Burundi uses the international dialing format common across East Africa. There is no trunk prefix (no leading 0 to drop). Just add your country's exit code before +257 and the 8-digit local number.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +257 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-257-[local number] |
| UK | 00-257-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-257-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-257-[local number] |
| France | 00-257-[local number] |
Understanding Burundi phone numbers
Mobile numbers
Burundi mobile numbers are 8 digits long and begin with specific two-digit prefixes assigned to each carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 31, 61-62, 65, 67-69 | Lumitel (Viettel) | +257 61 XXX XXX |
| 29, 71, 79 | Ucom | +257 71 XXX XXX |
| 72 | Econet Leo | +257 72 XXX XXX |
| 76 | Econet Wireless | +257 76 XXX XXX |
| 77 | Onatel (Telecel) | +257 77 XXX XXX |
| 75 | Smart Mobile | +257 75 XXX XXX |
| 78 | Africell | +257 78 XXX XXX |
Landline numbers
Landline numbers are also 8 digits and start with 22. Most landlines are concentrated in Bujumbura and Gitega. The state-owned Onatel operates the fixed-line network. Example: +257 22 XX XXXX.
No trunk prefix
Burundi does not use a trunk prefix. When dialing internationally, use the number exactly as listed. Do not add or remove a leading zero.
Mobile carriers in Burundi
Lumitel (Viettel)
Lumitel is owned by Vietnamese telecom company Viettel and has the largest subscriber base in Burundi. It launched in 2014 and grew quickly by undercutting competitors on price and covering rural areas. Prefixes: 31, 61, 62, 65, 67, 68, and 69. Economy calling rate: $0.60/min.
Econet Leo / Econet Wireless
Econet has been in Burundi since the early 2000s under the Leo brand. Prefixes: 72 (Econet Leo) and 76 (Econet Wireless). Most of its subscribers are in Bujumbura and other cities. Economy calling rates: $0.58-$0.70/min depending on prefix.
Onatel
Onatel (Office National des Telecommunications) is the state-owned operator running both the fixed-line network and mobile services under the Telecel brand. Landlines use prefix 22; mobile uses prefix 77. Economy calling rate: $0.69-$0.70/min.
Ucom
Ucom operates on prefixes 29, 71, and 79. It is smaller than Lumitel and Econet but available in major cities. Economy calling rate: $0.70/min.
Smart Mobile and Africell
Smart Mobile (prefix 75) and Africell (prefix 78) have fewer subscribers. Africell is a newer entrant. Economy calling rates: $0.67-$0.68/min.
Don't confuse +257 with nearby codes
| Code | Country | Easy to confuse? |
|---|---|---|
| +257 | Burundi | -- |
| +256 | Uganda | Yes, off by one digit |
| +250 | Rwanda | Same region, similar prefix length |
| +255 | Tanzania | Neighboring country |
| +243 | DR Congo | Neighboring country |
The most common mix-up is between +257 (Burundi) and +256 (Uganda). Both are East African countries with codes that differ by a single digit. Double-check the third digit: 7 for Burundi, 6 for Uganda.
Time zone considerations
Burundi runs on Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2 year-round. There is no daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Burundi is 7 hours ahead | 7:00-10:00 AM EST (2:00-5:00 PM CAT) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Burundi is 10 hours ahead | 7:00-9:00 AM PST (5:00-7:00 PM CAT) |
| UK (GMT) | Burundi is 2 hours ahead | 8:00 AM-6:00 PM GMT |
| Central Europe (CET) | Burundi is 1 hour ahead | 9:00 AM-7:00 PM CET |
| Australia (AEST) | Burundi is 8 hours behind | 5:00-8:00 PM AEST (9:00 AM-12:00 PM CAT) |
Communication in Burundi
Business hours and etiquette
Business hours in Burundi typically run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a lunch break around noon. Government offices may close earlier on Fridays. French is the primary business language, though Kirundi is used in everyday conversation. Greetings matter: start calls with a proper greeting before getting to the point.
Network quality
Mobile coverage in Bujumbura and Gitega is generally reliable, but rural areas can be patchy. 4G is available in major urban centers through Lumitel and Econet, though 3G remains the standard across most of the country. Call quality to landlines tends to be more consistent than mobile-to-mobile calls in remote provinces.
Messaging and alternatives
WhatsApp is the most used messaging app in Burundi. Many Burundians prefer WhatsApp voice calls over regular phone calls to save money. If your contact has a smartphone, a WhatsApp call may work better than a regular call, especially in rural areas where voice coverage is weak but data still works.
The Burundi diaspora
Where Burundians live abroad
Tanzania hosts the largest population of Burundian refugees and migrants. There are also sizable communities in Rwanda, the DR Congo, Belgium (the former colonial power), Canada, and the United States.
Why they call home
Regular phone contact with family back home is the norm. Many diaspora members send remittances and call to coordinate transfers. Call volume tends to spike around Christmas, New Year, and Independence Day (July 1), as well as for weddings and funerals.
Dialing examples
Calling a Lumitel mobile from the US
To call a Lumitel mobile number 61 234 567:
From a US mobile: +257 61 234 567
From a US landline: 011-257-61-234-567
Calling a Bujumbura landline from the UK
To call a Bujumbura landline 22 34 5678:
From a UK phone: 00-257-22-34-5678
Calling an Econet mobile from Australia
To call an Econet mobile number 76 123 456:
From an Australian phone: 0011-257-76-123-456
Calling from within Burundi
For domestic calls within Burundi, dial the 8-digit number directly. No country code, no trunk prefix. Example: 61 234 567.
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix that doesn't exist
Burundi has no trunk prefix. Some people dial +257-0-61... out of habit from countries that use a leading zero. This will fail. Dial the 8-digit number directly after +257.
Confusing +257 with +256 (Uganda)
These codes differ by a single digit. If your call connects to someone unexpected speaking a different language, check whether you dialed 257 or 256.
Using the wrong number of digits
All Burundi phone numbers are 8 digits after the country code. If you have a 7-digit or 9-digit number, it's probably wrong or includes the country code by mistake.
Not accounting for the time difference
Burundi is UTC+2 with no daylight saving changes. Calling from North America during your evening means reaching Burundi in the early morning hours. Check the time zone table above before dialing.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +257 code?
Burundi, a landlocked country in East Africa. The +257 code is not shared with any other country.
How many digits are in a Burundi phone number?
Eight digits after the +257 country code. This applies to both mobile and landline numbers.
Does Burundi have a trunk prefix?
No. Dial the 8-digit local number directly after +257. Do not add a leading zero.
What time zone is Burundi in?
Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2. Burundi does not observe daylight saving time.
How much does it cost to call Burundi?
With CallSky, economy rates start from $0.58/min for mobile and $0.65/min for landline. Premium rates start from $0.83/min. Rates vary by carrier.
What language is spoken in Burundi?
Kirundi is the national language spoken by nearly everyone. French is used in business and government. Swahili is common in trade, especially near the Tanzanian border.
Need to call other countries in the region? Check our guides for Uganda (+256), Rwanda (+250), and Tanzania (+255).