The +260 country code connects calls to Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa with around 20 million people. Lusaka is the capital and main business hub. Three mobile operators serve the country: MTN, Airtel, and the state-owned Zamtel. English is the official language, so business calls tend to be straightforward compared to many African destinations. This guide covers number formats, area codes, and rates for calling Zambia.
Quick answer: Dial +260 followed by a 9-digit local number. Mobile numbers start with 76, 77, 95, 96, or 97. Landlines start with area codes like 211 (Lusaka) or 212 (Ndola). Drop the leading 0 that Zambians use domestically.
How to call Zambia: quick reference
The format depends on where you are calling from. Mobile phones in most countries accept the + prefix directly. From a US or Canadian landline, replace + with the exit code 011.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +260 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-260-[local number] |
| UK | 00-260-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-260-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-260-[local number] |
| France | 00-260-[local number] |
Understanding Zambia phone numbers
Zambia uses 9-digit local numbers after the +260 country code. Domestically, Zambians add a leading 0 (making it 10 digits), but you must drop that 0 when dialing internationally.
Mobile numbers
Zambian mobile numbers follow the format +260 XX XXX XXXX (9 digits). The first two digits identify the carrier:
| Prefix | Carrier | Economy rate |
|---|---|---|
| 96, 76 | MTN | from $0.15/min |
| 97, 77 | Airtel | from $0.15/min |
| 95 | Zamtel | from $0.15/min |
MTN and Airtel each have two prefix ranges (one older, one newer) due to number expansion over the years.
Landline numbers
Landlines follow the format +260 21X XXX XXX (9 digits). The three-digit area code identifies the region:
| Area code | Region |
|---|---|
| 211 | Lusaka |
| 212 | Copperbelt (Ndola, Kitwe) |
| 213 | Southern (Livingstone) |
| 214 | Eastern (Chipata) |
| 215 | Central (Kabwe) |
| 216 | Luapula (Mansa) |
| 217 | Western (Mongu) |
| 218 | Northern (Kasama) |
Landline rates start from $0.12/min on the economy tier.
Mobile carriers in Zambia
MTN Zambia
MTN is the largest mobile operator in Zambia by subscriber count. It uses prefixes 96 and 76. MTN has the widest 4G coverage across urban areas and along major highways. It is part of the MTN Group, which operates across Africa and the Middle East.
Airtel Zambia
Airtel is the second-largest operator, using prefixes 97 and 77. It competes closely with MTN on pricing and coverage. Airtel is popular for its affordable data bundles and mobile money service (Airtel Money). It is owned by Bharti Airtel, the Indian telecoms group.
Zamtel
Zamtel is the state-owned operator, using prefix 95. It was previously the monopoly provider before the market opened up. Zamtel has been investing in network expansion, but its coverage outside major cities is more limited than MTN or Airtel. It is still used mainly by government and institutional customers.
Don't confuse +260 with nearby codes
Several southern and eastern African country codes start with 26X, which can cause mix-ups:
| Code | Country | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| +260 | Zambia | This guide |
| +263 | Zimbabwe | Zambia's southern neighbor |
| +265 | Malawi | Zambia's eastern neighbor |
| +267 | Botswana | Further south, no shared border |
| +261 | Madagascar | Island nation, one digit off |
The most common confusion is between Zambia (+260) and Zimbabwe (+263). Both countries share a border at Victoria Falls, and their names sound similar to people unfamiliar with the region. If someone says they are calling "Zam-something," double-check whether they mean Zambia or Zimbabwe.
Time zone considerations
Zambia uses Central Africa Time (CAT), which is UTC+2 year-round. There is no daylight saving time.
| Your location | Time difference | When it's 9am in Lusaka |
|---|---|---|
| New York (EST) | Zambia is 7 hours ahead | 2:00 AM in New York |
| London (GMT) | Zambia is 2 hours ahead | 7:00 AM in London |
| Dubai (GST) | Zambia is 2 hours behind | 11:00 AM in Dubai |
| Sydney (AEDT) | Zambia is 9 hours behind | 6:00 PM in Sydney |
For callers in the US, late afternoon or early evening (Eastern Time) lines up with Zambian mornings. Callers from the UK have a convenient 2-hour offset that makes daytime calls easy in both directions.
Communication in Zambia
Business hours
Standard business hours in Zambia are Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Government offices often close earlier on Fridays. Banks typically open at 8:00 AM and close at 3:00 PM on weekdays, with Saturday morning hours at some branches. Most businesses close on Sundays.
WhatsApp and messaging
WhatsApp is the main messaging app in Zambia. Most people use it because mobile data is cheaper than voice calls within the country. If you have a Zambian contact's number, try WhatsApp first for non-urgent matters. For business calls, a regular phone call is still preferred since it signals urgency and professionalism.
Network quality
4G coverage is solid in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, Livingstone, and other major towns. Along main highways like the Great East Road and the road between Lusaka and the Copperbelt, coverage is usually reliable. In rural areas and national parks, coverage can be patchy or unavailable. MTN and Airtel have the best rural coverage overall.
The Zambia diaspora
Where Zambians live abroad
The largest Zambian diaspora communities are in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Canada. The UK has the oldest established community, dating back to the colonial era when Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) was a British protectorate. South Africa is close by, so many Zambians move there for work.
Why they call home
Family calls are frequent, especially to parents and extended family in Lusaka and the Copperbelt. Calls increase around Christmas, Easter, and during the agricultural season when rural family members need support. Many Zambians abroad send money home regularly and use phone calls to coordinate remittances through mobile money services like Airtel Money and MTN MoMo.
Dialing examples
Calling an MTN mobile in Lusaka
Your friend's local number is 0961 234 567. Drop the leading 0 and add +260:
+260 961 234 567
Calling a landline in Lusaka
A hotel's local number is 0211 456 789. Drop the 0 and add +260:
+260 211 456 789
Calling an Airtel mobile from a US landline
The local number is 0977 654 321. Replace the 0 with the US exit code (011) plus 260:
011-260-977-654-321
Calling a Zamtel mobile from the UK
The local number is 0955 111 222. Replace the 0 with the UK exit code (00) plus 260:
00-260-955-111-222
Common mistakes to avoid
Leaving the trunk prefix 0 in
Zambians dial numbers starting with 0 (e.g., 0977 123 456). When calling from abroad, you must drop this 0. Dialing +260 0977 123 456 will not connect. The correct format is +260 977 123 456.
Confusing Zambia with Zimbabwe
Zambia is +260 and Zimbabwe is +263. If your call reaches someone in the wrong country, check whether you dialed 260 or 263. This is the most common mistake people make with Zambian numbers.
Using the wrong number of digits
Zambian numbers are always 9 digits after the country code (+260). If you have fewer digits, you may be missing part of the number. If you have more, you may have included the trunk prefix 0 or added extra digits by mistake.
Calling at the wrong time
Zambia is UTC+2 with no daylight saving. If you are in the US and call during your afternoon, it will be late night or early morning in Zambia. Check the time zone table above before calling.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +260 code?
+260 is the country code for Zambia. Any phone number starting with +260 is a Zambian number.
How many digits are in a Zambian phone number?
Zambian phone numbers are 9 digits after the +260 country code. The full international format is +260 followed by 9 digits, for a total of 12 digits including the country code.
What is the difference between +260 and +263?
+260 is Zambia and +263 is Zimbabwe. These are two different countries in southern Africa that share a border. Zambia's capital is Lusaka; Zimbabwe's capital is Harare.
Do I need to dial 0 before a Zambian number?
No. The leading 0 is a domestic trunk prefix used only within Zambia. When calling from abroad, drop the 0 and dial +260 followed by the 9-digit number.
What time zone is Zambia in?
Zambia uses Central Africa Time (CAT), which is UTC+2 year-round. There is no daylight saving time in Zambia.
Which mobile carrier is best in Zambia?
MTN has the largest subscriber base and widest coverage. Airtel is a close second with competitive pricing. Zamtel is state-owned and has been expanding. For international calls, the carrier you are calling does not affect your ability to connect, but rates vary by carrier prefix.
Looking for other southern African country codes? See our guides for Zimbabwe (+263), Malawi (+265), and Botswana (+267), or browse the full country code directory.