The +264 country code is for Namibia. A vast, sparsely populated country of about 2.6 million people in southwestern Africa, sitting between Angola to the north and South Africa to the south. Windhoek, the capital, is in the central highlands. Namibia is one of Africa's least densely populated countries -- roughly the size of Texas and Oklahoma combined, but with fewer people than Houston. The country gained independence from South Africa in 1990 after a long guerrilla war, making it one of Africa's youngest nations. English is the official language, though Afrikaans and German are widely spoken thanks to the country's colonial history under Germany (1884-1915) and then South Africa. The Namib Desert along the coast is one of the oldest deserts on Earth.
Quick answer: The country code +264 is for Namibia. Mobile numbers are 7-8 digits after +264, starting with 81 or 85:
+264 81 XXX XXXX. Landlines are 6-7 digits after +264 with an area code starting with 6:+264 61 XXX XXX(Windhoek). The trunk prefix is 0 -- drop it when dialing from abroad.
How to call Namibia: quick reference
Namibia uses trunk prefix 0 for domestic calls. When calling from abroad, drop the leading 0 and dial +264 followed by the local number. So a Windhoek number that locals dial as 061 XXX XXX becomes +264 61 XXX XXX internationally.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +264 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-264-[local number] |
| UK | 00-264-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-264-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-264-[local number] |
| France | 00-264-[local number] |
Understanding Namibia phone numbers
Namibia's numbering plan follows a standard format: area code + subscriber number for landlines, and a mobile prefix + subscriber number for mobile. All numbers include a trunk prefix 0 for domestic use, which you drop when dialing internationally.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers are 7-8 digits after +264. The two main prefixes:
- 81X XXXX / 81XX XXXX: MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Company)
- 85X XXXX / 85XX XXXX: TN Mobile (formerly Leo)
Domestically these are dialed as 081... or 085... (with the leading 0).
Landline numbers
Landlines are 6-7 digits after +264, with two-digit area codes:
| Area code | City/Region |
|---|---|
| 61 | Windhoek |
| 64 | Walvis Bay, Swakopmund (coast) |
| 63 | Keetmanshoop (south) |
| 65 | Otjiwarongo, Outjo (central north) |
| 66 | Rundu, Kavango (northeast) |
| 67 | Gobabis (east) |
Mobile carriers in Namibia
Namibia is a two-carrier mobile market, which keeps things simple compared to many African countries.
MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Company)
The dominant carrier, originally state-owned and now partially privatized. MTC has the largest network footprint and covers most of the country, including remote areas. Uses the 081 prefix. About 2.5 million subscribers -- meaning nearly every Namibian has an MTC SIM, and many have it as their primary. MTC also operates the 4G/LTE network that covers Windhoek and major towns.
TN Mobile
The second operator, a subsidiary of Telecom Namibia (the fixed-line incumbent). Launched as Leo in 2007, rebranded to TN Mobile. Uses the 085 prefix. Smaller subscriber base than MTC but competitive on pricing. Coverage is good in urban areas and along major highways but thinner in the deep rural north and the Caprivi Strip.
There is no third mobile operator. Attempts to license a third carrier have come and gone without result. For practical purposes, if you are calling a Namibian mobile number, it is either MTC (081) or TN Mobile (085).
Don't confuse +264 with nearby codes
+264 sits in a cluster of southern/central African codes that look similar at a glance:
| Code | Country | Why it's confusing |
|---|---|---|
| +260 | Zambia | Only 4 digits apart, both southern African. Most common mix-up. |
| +265 | Malawi | Off by one digit. Both in the +26X block. |
| +266 | Lesotho | Another +26X neighbor. Easy to confuse in a contact list. |
| +27 | South Africa | Namibia's southern neighbor. Different length code (2 vs 3 digits) but geographically close. |
The +260/+264 mix-up is the most common one. Double-check the fourth digit: 0 for Zambia, 4 for Namibia.
Time zone considerations
Namibia uses Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2 year-round. The country previously observed daylight saving time (switching between WAT and WAST) but abolished it in 2017, simplifying things.
| Your location | Time difference | When it's 9 AM in Windhoek |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | +7 hours | 2:00 AM in New York |
| US West Coast (PST) | +10 hours | 11:00 PM previous day in LA |
| UK (GMT) | +2 hours | 7:00 AM in London |
| Germany (CET) | +1 hour | 8:00 AM in Berlin |
| South Africa (SAST) | Same time | 9:00 AM in Johannesburg |
| Australia (AEDT) | -9 hours | 6:00 PM in Sydney |
Since Namibia shares the same time zone as South Africa, if you are already used to calling Johannesburg, the timing works identically for Windhoek.
Communication in Namibia
Business hours and etiquette
Business hours are typically 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Government offices often close at 4:30 PM. Saturday is a half-day for most shops (8:00 AM to 1:00 PM). Namibians tend to be punctual by African standards, partly a legacy of German and South African administrative culture. English is the language of business and government, so language barriers are rarely an issue for international callers.
Communication patterns
Mobile penetration is high for the population size -- over 100% SIM penetration, meaning many people carry two SIMs (one MTC, one TN Mobile) to get the best rates for different call types. WhatsApp is the dominant messaging platform and has largely replaced SMS. Many businesses list WhatsApp numbers as their primary contact. For older Namibians, especially in rural areas, a direct phone call is still preferred over messaging.
Network quality
Windhoek and the coastal towns (Walvis Bay, Swakopmund) have solid 4G/LTE coverage. The main highways connecting major towns also have decent coverage. The challenge is the empty space in between -- Namibia has enormous stretches of desert and savannah where coverage drops to 2G or disappears entirely. The Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region) in the far northeast has improving but still patchy coverage. If you are calling someone in a remote area, they may need to walk to a spot with reception first.
The Namibia diaspora
Namibia's diaspora is relatively small compared to larger African countries, but concentrated in a few locations.
Where they went
South Africa is by far the largest destination. The border is long, the languages overlap (Afrikaans, English), and Namibians have been crossing south for work and education since well before independence. Estimates range from 50,000 to 100,000 Namibians in South Africa, concentrated in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Pretoria. Many are students at South African universities.
Germany has a smaller but historically connected community. The German colonial period (1884-1915) created lasting ties, and there are still German-speaking Namibians in both countries. Windhoek has German bakeries and Namibians in Germany maintain the cultural link. The community is mainly in Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt.
UK has a growing Namibian population, mostly in London. Many came for university and stayed. The Commonwealth connection (Namibia joined in 1990) makes UK visa pathways more accessible than some alternatives.
Why they call
Family calls dominate, especially to Windhoek and the northern regions (Oshakati, Ondangwa) where most of the population lives. The Owambo people from the north make up roughly half the population, and many who have moved to Windhoek or abroad call family in the Oshana, Omusati, and Ohangwena regions regularly. Weekend calls are most common, especially Sunday afternoons when extended families gather.
Dialing examples
Calling a Windhoek landline
Local number: 061 234 567. Drop the trunk prefix 0 and dial: +264 61 234 567. From a US landline: 011 264 61 234 567.
Calling an MTC mobile
Local number: 081 234 5678. Drop the 0: +264 81 234 5678. From the UK: 00 264 81 234 5678.
Calling a Walvis Bay landline
Local number: 064 567 890. Drop the 0: +264 64 567 890. From Australia: 0011 264 64 567 890.
Calling a TN Mobile number
Local number: 085 678 9012. Drop the 0: +264 85 678 9012. From Germany: 00 264 85 678 9012.
Common mistakes to avoid
Forgetting to drop the trunk prefix
Namibians dial 0 before the area code domestically (e.g., 061 for Windhoek, 081 for MTC mobile). When dialing from abroad, drop that 0. Dialing +264 061... will fail.
Confusing +264 with +260 (Zambia)
These two codes are just four digits apart and both are southern African countries. If your call connects but nobody recognizes you, check whether you dialed +260 instead of +264. It happens more than you would expect.
Expecting +27 (South Africa) numbers to work
Because of the close ties between Namibia and South Africa, some Namibians have South African phone numbers (especially if they studied or worked there). Make sure you know which number you are dialing -- a +27 number is South African, not Namibian, even if the person lives in Windhoek.
Underestimating coverage gaps
Namibia is enormous and mostly empty. If you are calling someone at a game lodge, farm, or rural village, they may be out of coverage. Try calling during times they are likely in town, or arrange a call time in advance via WhatsApp when they have data.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +264 country code?
+264 is Namibia, a country in southwestern Africa bordering South Africa, Botswana, Angola, and Zambia.
How do I call a Namibian mobile number from the US?
Dial +264 followed by the mobile number without the leading 0. For example, if the local number is 081 234 5678, dial +264 81 234 5678. From a US landline, use 011 264 81 234 5678.
What is the trunk prefix in Namibia?
The trunk prefix is 0. Namibians dial 0 before the area code for domestic calls. When calling from abroad, drop the 0 and dial the country code +264 followed by the rest of the number.
What mobile carriers operate in Namibia?
Namibia has two mobile carriers: MTC (prefix 081) and TN Mobile (prefix 085). MTC is the larger of the two with broader coverage, especially in rural areas.
Is +264 the same as +260?
No. +264 is Namibia and +260 is Zambia. These are different countries in different parts of southern Africa. Double-check the fourth digit to make sure you are dialing the right one.
For more African dialing guides, see +260 Zambia, +265 Malawi, or browse the full country codes directory.