The +268 country code is for Eswatini, the small landlocked kingdom between South Africa and Mozambique formerly known as Swaziland (the name changed officially in 2018). With a population of about 1.2 million, it's one of Africa's smallest countries, but cross-border calls are common since many Swazis work or have family in neighboring South Africa. Phone numbers are 8 digits, there's no trunk prefix, and two mobile carriers handle most of the traffic.
Quick answer: The +268 country code is for Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Phone numbers are 8 digits after the country code. Mobile numbers start with 7, landlines start with 2. There is no trunk prefix. Dial +268 followed by the 8-digit number.
How to call Eswatini: quick reference
Eswatini has no trunk prefix, so the number you dial locally is the same number you dial internationally -- just add +268 in front. The exit code depends on where you're calling from.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +268 [local number] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-268-[local number] |
| UK | 00-268-[local number] |
| Australia | 0011-268-[local number] |
| Germany | 00-268-[local number] |
| France | 00-268-[local number] |
Understanding Eswatini phone numbers
All Eswatini phone numbers are 8 digits after the +268 country code. The first digit indicates mobile vs. landline.
Mobile numbers
Mobile numbers start with 7. The format is +268 7XXX XXXX. The second digit usually tells you the carrier: 76 is MTN, while 78 and 79 are Eswatini Mobile. Coverage is good in urban areas and along main roads.
Landline numbers
Landline numbers start with 2. The format is +268 2XXX XXXX. Landlines are operated by EPTC (Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation), the state-owned fixed-line provider.
| Prefix | Area |
|---|---|
| 24 | Mbabane / Manzini corridor |
| 23 | Northern regions (Piggs Peak, Nhlangano) |
| 25 | Eastern regions (Siteki, Big Bend) |
No trunk prefix
Eswatini does not use a trunk prefix. The 8-digit number is the same whether you're dialing locally or from abroad. Just add +268 for international calls.
Mobile carriers in Eswatini
MTN Eswatini
MTN is the dominant mobile carrier with the widest coverage. Mobile numbers on MTN typically start with 76. MTN was one of the first mobile operators in the country and handles the majority of mobile traffic. Coverage extends to most populated areas, though rural and mountainous regions can be spotty.
Eswatini Mobile
Eswatini Mobile (formerly Swazi Mobile) is the second carrier, with numbers starting 78 and 79. It has grown its coverage over the years but still trails MTN in rural reach. Both carriers offer prepaid and postpaid plans.
EPTC (fixed-line)
The Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation handles all landline service. Fixed-line penetration is low, and most people rely on mobile phones. Landlines are mostly found in businesses and government offices.
Don't confuse +268 with nearby codes
Eswatini's +268 is sandwiched between two other country codes that are easy to mix up.
| Code | Country | Why it's confusing |
|---|---|---|
| +267 | Botswana | One digit off. Both are small southern African countries. |
| +269 | Comoros | One digit off. Indian Ocean island nation, not mainland Africa. |
| +27 | South Africa | Starts with the same digits. Since Eswatini is surrounded by South Africa, this is the most practical mix-up. |
The +27 South Africa confusion matters because many Swazis carry South African SIM cards for cross-border use. If someone gives you a number starting with +27, it's a South African number even if the person lives in Eswatini.
Time zone considerations
Eswatini uses South Africa Standard Time (SAST), which is UTC+2 year-round. No daylight saving time.
| Your time zone | When it's 9 AM in Mbabane | When it's 6 PM in Mbabane |
|---|---|---|
| US Eastern (EST/EDT) | 2:00 AM / 3:00 AM | 11:00 AM / 12:00 PM |
| US Pacific (PST/PDT) | 11:00 PM prev / 12:00 AM | 8:00 AM / 9:00 AM |
| UK (GMT/BST) | 7:00 AM / 8:00 AM | 4:00 PM / 5:00 PM |
| Central Europe (CET/CEST) | 8:00 AM / 9:00 AM | 5:00 PM / 6:00 PM |
| Australia East (AEST/AEDT) | 5:00 PM / 6:00 PM | 2:00 AM / 3:00 AM next |
Eswatini shares the same time zone as South Africa, so if you're already used to calling South Africa, the timing is identical.
Communication in Eswatini
Business hours and availability
Businesses in Eswatini generally operate from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Banks close earlier, typically by 3:30 PM. Saturday mornings are working hours for some shops, particularly in Mbabane and Manzini. Government offices follow a strict weekday schedule. For personal calls, evenings and weekends are best.
Network quality
Call quality in the Mbabane-Manzini corridor (where most of the population lives) is generally reliable. MTN has the better rural coverage of the two carriers, but mountainous areas in the west and some parts of the Lubombo plateau can still have weak signal. If a call drops, try again -- it's usually a momentary network issue rather than a persistent outage.
Language considerations
siSwati and English are both official languages. English is widely used in business, government, and education, so you're likely to get by in English for formal calls. For personal calls, siSwati is what people speak at home. Many Swazis also understand Zulu, which is closely related to siSwati.
The Eswatini diaspora
Where Swazis settled
South Africa is by far the most common destination. The border is short, wages are higher, and many Swazis commute or live in South African cities while maintaining family ties at home. Beyond South Africa, smaller communities exist in the UK, the United States, and Mozambique. The diaspora is modest compared to larger African nations -- Eswatini's population is small to begin with.
Why they call home
Most calls are to family members, particularly those in rural areas who may not have reliable internet. Cultural events like the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) ceremony and Incwala (Kingship) ceremony prompt spikes in calls as diaspora members check in with relatives attending the events. Many Swazis working in South Africa call home weekly to coordinate finances and family matters.
Dialing examples
Calling a Mbabane landline
To call a Mbabane landline 2404 1234:
Dial +268 2404 1234. No digits to drop -- the local number is the international number.
Calling an MTN mobile
To call an MTN mobile number 7612 3456:
Dial +268 7612 3456.
Calling an Eswatini Mobile number
To call an Eswatini Mobile number 7834 5678:
Dial +268 7834 5678.
Calling from a US landline
To call the same Mbabane landline from a US landline:
Dial 011-268-2404-1234 (011 is the US exit code).
Common mistakes to avoid
Adding a trunk prefix that doesn't exist
Some countries use a leading 0 for domestic calls. Eswatini does not. If you dial +268 0 7612 3456 (adding a 0), you'll get 9 digits instead of 8 and the call will fail.
Confusing +268 with +27 (South Africa)
Since many Swazis have South African SIM cards, you might receive a number starting with +27 from someone physically in Eswatini. That's a South African number and needs to be dialed with +27, not +268. Confirm which country code applies before dialing.
Searching for "Swaziland" instead of "Eswatini"
The country officially became Eswatini in 2018, but many phone directories, apps, and contact lists still use "Swaziland." If you can't find Eswatini in a dropdown menu, look for Swaziland. The country code is the same either way.
Expecting landline voicemail
Landline voicemail is uncommon in Eswatini. If nobody answers a landline, the phone will just ring. Try calling a mobile number instead, or call back at a different time.
Prefer calling over WiFi? See our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country uses the +268 code?
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). Any number starting with +268 is an Eswatini number.
Is Eswatini the same as Swaziland?
Yes. The country changed its name from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018. The country code +268 did not change.
How many digits are in an Eswatini phone number?
Eight digits after the +268 country code. There is no trunk prefix, so the local number and international number are the same length.
Which mobile carrier is better in Eswatini?
MTN has wider coverage, especially outside the main cities. Eswatini Mobile is competitive in the Mbabane-Manzini corridor. For calling from abroad, it doesn't matter which carrier the recipient uses.
Can I use a South African SIM card in Eswatini?
South African SIM cards will roam in Eswatini, but roaming charges apply. Many people near the border carry both a South African and an Eswatini SIM card. If you're calling an Eswatini SIM, use +268. If calling their South African SIM, use +27.
What's the best time to call Eswatini from the US?
Early morning US Eastern time (6-8 AM EST) catches Eswatini in the afternoon (1-3 PM SAST). Late afternoon US time (4-6 PM EST) reaches Eswatini in the late evening (11 PM - 1 AM), which may be too late for most people.
For more dialing guides, see our complete country code directory. You may also find these nearby guides useful: +27 South Africa and +258 Mozambique.