The +263 country code connects you to Zimbabwe. If you see an incoming call starting with +263, it originates from somewhere between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers, whether that's a Harare business line, a mobile number on the Econet network, or someone calling from Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe's phone system uses a trunk prefix (0) that you must drop when dialing internationally. Numbers after +263 are either 8 digits (landlines) or 9 digits (mobiles), so the total length varies depending on what you're calling. Mobile penetration is high, landlines are declining, and EcoCash mobile money has made Econet the dominant network by a wide margin. If you're calling someone in Zimbabwe, there's a roughly two-in-three chance their number starts with 077 or 078.
Quick answer: Dial +263 followed by the local number without the leading 0. Mobile numbers are 9 digits after +263 (starting with 71, 73, 77, or 78). Landline numbers are 8 digits after +263. Harare landlines start with 4, Bulawayo with 9. Zimbabwe uses Central Africa Time (UTC+2) year-round with no daylight saving.
How to call Zimbabwe: quick reference
Zimbabwe's international dialing format depends on whether you're calling a mobile or landline, but the rule is the same: drop the trunk prefix 0 and dial +263 followed by the remaining digits. "Local number" in the table below means the Zimbabwean number without the leading 0.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +263 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-263-[local number] |
| UK | 00-263-[local number] |
| South Africa | 00-263-[local number] |
| Botswana | 00-263-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-263-[local number] |
Understanding Zimbabwe phone numbers
Zimbabwe uses a trunk prefix system. Domestically, all numbers start with 0. For international calls, you drop the 0 and dial +263 plus the remaining digits. The total length after +263 depends on whether you're calling a mobile or landline.
Mobile numbers (9 digits after +263)
Mobile numbers follow the pattern +263 7X XXX XXXX, where the two-digit prefix (7X) identifies the carrier. All mobile numbers are 9 digits after the country code.
| Prefix | Carrier | Domestic format | International format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 077, 078 | Econet Wireless | 077X XXX XXXX | +263 77X XXX XXXX |
| 071 | NetOne | 071X XXX XXXX | +263 71X XXX XXXX |
| 073 | Telecel | 073X XXX XXXX | +263 73X XXX XXXX |
Landline numbers (8 digits after +263)
Landline numbers use area codes. Harare and Bulawayo have single-digit area codes, while other cities use two-digit codes. The total is 8 digits after +263 in all cases.
| City | Area code | Domestic format | International format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harare | 4 | (04) XXX XXXX | +263 4 XXX XXXX |
| Bulawayo | 9 | (09) XXX XXXX | +263 9 XXX XXXX |
| Mutare | 20 | (020) XXX XXX | +263 20 XXX XXX |
| Gweru | 54 | (054) XXX XXX | +263 54 XXX XXX |
| Masvingo | 39 | (039) XXX XXX | +263 39 XXX XXX |
| Victoria Falls | 13 | (013) XXX XXX | +263 13 XXX XXX |
Landline usage has declined sharply. TelOne (the fixed-line operator) still maintains infrastructure in Harare and Bulawayo, but most Zimbabweans rely entirely on mobile phones. If you're given a landline number, confirm it's still active before calling.
Mobile carriers in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's mobile market is dominated by one player, with two smaller operators trailing at a distance.
Econet Wireless (~65-70% market share)
Econet is Zimbabwe's largest mobile operator and the country's most valuable private company. Founded by Strive Masiyiwa after a prolonged legal battle for a license in the 1990s, it uses prefixes 077 and 078. Econet's real dominance comes from EcoCash, its mobile money platform, which processes the majority of digital transactions in Zimbabwe. Because EcoCash-to-EcoCash transfers are cheapest on-network, people gravitate toward Econet SIMs even if they carry a second SIM from another carrier.
NetOne (~20-25% market share)
NetOne is state-owned, using prefix 071. It was the first mobile operator in Zimbabwe (launched 1996) but fell behind Econet. NetOne runs OneMoney, its own mobile money service, and has improved its network coverage in recent years. Its pricing tends to be competitive, and it has a stronger presence in rural areas where the government subsidizes rollout.
Telecel Zimbabwe (~5-10% market share)
Telecel uses prefix 073. It has the smallest network footprint and has been plagued by ownership disputes and license issues for years. Coverage outside major cities is limited. The government held a majority stake through the Empowerment Corporation, though the company's future structure has been in flux. If someone gives you a 073 number, it will work in urban areas but may be unreliable in rural zones.
Don't confuse +263 with nearby codes
Zimbabwe sits in a cluster of similar country codes in the +26X range. All of Zimbabwe's neighbors have codes within a few digits of +263.
| Code | Country | How to tell apart |
|---|---|---|
| +260 | Zambia | Northern neighbor. Mobile numbers start with 09X after +260 |
| +264 | Namibia | Southwest neighbor. Mobile numbers start with 81/85 after +264 |
| +267 | Botswana | Western neighbor. Mobile numbers start with 7 after +267 |
| +258 | Mozambique | Eastern neighbor. Mobile numbers start with 8 after +258 |
| +27 | South Africa | Southern neighbor. Only 2 digits, mobile starts with 6/7/8 after +27 |
The most common mix-up is between +263 (Zimbabwe) and +260 (Zambia). The two countries share Victoria Falls, and cross-border traffic between them is heavy. If you're dialing someone in the Livingstone-Victoria Falls area, double-check which side of the border they're on. Another frequent mistake is confusing +263 with +27 (South Africa), since millions of Zimbabweans live in South Africa and switch between the two country codes.
Time zone considerations
Zimbabwe uses Central Africa Time (CAT) year-round at UTC+2. There is no daylight saving time, so the offset never changes.
| Your time zone | When it's 9 AM in Harare | Best calling window |
|---|---|---|
| US East (EST/EDT) | 2:00 AM / 3:00 AM | 6 AM-10 AM ET (12 PM-4 PM CAT) |
| US West (PST/PDT) | 11:00 PM / 12:00 AM | 6 AM-9 AM PT (4 PM-7 PM CAT) |
| UK (GMT/BST) | 7:00 AM / 8:00 AM | 8 AM-6 PM GMT (10 AM-8 PM CAT) |
| South Africa (SAST) | 9:00 AM | Same time zone. Call anytime during business hours |
| Australia East (AEST/AEDT) | 5:00 PM / 7:00 PM | 5 PM-9 PM AEST (9 AM-1 PM CAT) |
South Africa and Zimbabwe share the same time zone (both UTC+2), which makes calling between the two countries straightforward. For the UK, the 2-hour difference is manageable during normal working hours. For the US, the 7-hour gap (East Coast) means you'll likely be calling Zimbabwe in the morning from the American side.
Communication in Zimbabwe
Business hours and etiquette
Standard business hours in Zimbabwe run from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. Government offices close at 4:30 PM. Saturday mornings (8 AM to 1 PM) are common for retail and informal business. Phone calls during business hours are expected for professional matters. Zimbabweans tend to be polite and formal in initial business calls, especially with people they haven't met.
WhatsApp and mobile money
WhatsApp is the dominant messaging platform by a wide margin. Most Zimbabweans use WhatsApp for everything from personal chat to business coordination, and many businesses list WhatsApp numbers rather than landlines. Voice calls over WhatsApp are common when both parties have data, especially for international calls to avoid per-minute charges.
EcoCash (Econet's mobile money) handles most non-cash transactions. This means Econet phone numbers function as de facto bank account numbers. People guard their Econet numbers carefully and rarely change them, since their EcoCash balance and transaction history are tied to that number. If someone gives you their Econet number, it's both a phone number and a financial identity.
Network reliability
Mobile coverage in Harare, Bulawayo, and major towns is generally reliable. Econet has the widest rural coverage. Power outages are frequent (load shedding can run 8-18 hours daily during bad stretches), which means cell towers sometimes go offline. If a call doesn't connect, try again in 30 minutes. Data connectivity varies: 4G is available in urban areas, but rural areas may only have 2G or EDGE.
The Zimbabwe diaspora
Zimbabwe has one of Africa's largest diasporas relative to population. Economic decline, hyperinflation in 2007-2008, and political instability pushed millions out of the country. Remittances from the diaspora are one of Zimbabwe's largest sources of foreign currency.
South Africa (1-3 million)
The largest Zimbabwean community abroad by far. Johannesburg's inner city, Hillbrow, and surrounding areas have massive Zimbabwean populations. Many work in construction, domestic service, security, mining, and professional roles. The proximity means people cross the border regularly at Beitbridge, and many maintain dual lives between the two countries. Calls between South Africa and Zimbabwe are among the most common international routes in southern Africa.
United Kingdom (200,000-500,000)
The UK, particularly England, hosts the second-largest Zimbabwean diaspora. Cities like Coventry, Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Manchester, Luton, and London have well-established communities. Many arrived as skilled professionals (nurses, teachers, engineers) during the 2000s crisis. Coventry has such a large Zimbabwean population that it's sometimes called "Little Harare." The UK-Zimbabwe phone corridor is heavily used.
Botswana (50,000-100,000)
The western neighbor hosts a significant community, concentrated in Gaborone and Francistown. The Plumtree-Francistown border crossing sees daily traffic. Many Zimbabweans work in Botswana's retail, hospitality, and construction sectors.
Australia and New Zealand (60,000-100,000)
Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Auckland have growing Zimbabwean communities. Many arrived on skilled migration visas, particularly in healthcare and engineering. The time zone difference (8-10 hours ahead of Zimbabwe) means weekend calls are more practical.
United States and Canada (50,000-100,000)
Smaller but active communities in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, and Toronto. Many hold professional qualifications and work in healthcare, IT, and finance. Diversity Visa lottery winners from Zimbabwe often settle in the US Midwest and South.
Dialing examples
Calling an Econet mobile in Harare
Your contact's local number is 0772 123 456. Drop the leading 0 and dial +263 772 123 456. From a US landline: 011-263-772-123-456.
Calling a landline in Harare
The local number is (04) 123 4567. Drop the trunk prefix 0, keep the area code 4, and dial +263 4 123 4567. From the UK: 00-263-4-123-4567.
Calling a NetOne mobile in Bulawayo
Your contact's number is 0712 345 678. Drop the 0: +263 712 345 678. From South Africa: 00-263-712-345-678.
Calling a landline in Victoria Falls
The local number is (013) 456 789. Drop the 0, keep area code 13: +263 13 456 789. From Botswana: 00-263-13-456-789.
Common mistakes to avoid
Leaving the trunk prefix 0 in
The most common error. If the local number is 0772 123 456, you dial +263 772 123 456, not +263 0772 123 456. That extra 0 will either route to the wrong number or fail entirely.
Confusing +263 with +260 (Zambia)
These codes are three digits apart, and the two countries share a border at Victoria Falls. If you're dialing and getting an unexpected answer, check whether you typed 263 or 260. Zambian mobile numbers start with 09X after the country code, while Zimbabwean mobiles start with 7X.
Calling a South African +27 number thinking it's Zimbabwean
Many Zimbabweans in South Africa carry +27 numbers. If someone moved to Johannesburg, they may have given you their South African number, not their Zimbabwean one. The two codes look nothing alike, but the confusion arises from assuming everyone "from Zimbabwe" still uses +263.
Not accounting for power outages
Zimbabwe experiences regular load shedding. If a call doesn't connect, it may not mean the number is wrong. Cell towers and phones both lose power. Try again later, or send a WhatsApp message, which will deliver when they come back online.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +263 code?
Zimbabwe. Any call from a number starting with +263 originates from Zimbabwe.
How many digits are in a Zimbabwean phone number?
After +263, mobile numbers are 9 digits (e.g., +263 77X XXX XXXX) and landline numbers are 8 digits (e.g., +263 4 XXX XXXX for Harare). Domestically, add the trunk prefix 0, making them 10 digits for mobile and 9 digits for landline.
Do I need to drop the 0 when calling Zimbabwe?
Yes. Zimbabwe uses 0 as a trunk prefix for domestic calls. When dialing internationally with +263, always remove the leading 0. For example, 0772 123 456 becomes +263 772 123 456.
What's the difference between +263 and +260?
+263 is Zimbabwe, +260 is Zambia. They're neighboring countries and the codes are close, so double-check which one you're dialing. Zambian mobile numbers start with 09X after +260, while Zimbabwean mobiles start with 7X after +263.
What time zone is Zimbabwe in?
Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2, year-round. No daylight saving. This is the same time zone as South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia.
Can I reach someone on EcoCash by phone?
EcoCash is tied to the user's Econet mobile number (077 or 078 prefix). You can call that number normally. EcoCash is a mobile money service, not a separate phone system. The phone number and EcoCash account are the same thing.
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