Area Code 272 – Benguela
The phone area code for Benguela is 272 (international format +244272). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Benguela
Geographic Overview
The +244 272 prefix is the national destination code (NDC) for the province of Benguela, located on the central coast of Angola. This geographic area code covers the city of Benguela (the provincial capital) and its surrounding municipalities, including Lobito, Catumbela, and Baía Farta. These urban centers form a key economic corridor, with Lobito serving as a major port and rail terminus. The region is known for its industrial activities, including oil refining, cement production, and fishing, as well as growing tourism along its Atlantic beaches.
Dialing Formats
When calling a fixed-line number in Benguela from within Angola, you must use the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code 272 and the subscriber number (typically 7 digits). The national format is: 0 272 XXX XXX.
For international callers, the format is: +244 272 XXX XXX (or 00244 272 XXX XXX from countries using the international prefix 00). The leading 0 is dropped when dialing from abroad.
Caller Instructions
- Local callers (within Angola): Dial 272 XXX XXX if you are in the same area code, but it is safer to dial the full national number 0 272 XXX XXX to avoid issues with mobile or VoIP routing.
- International callers: Dial your country's international access code (e.g., 00, 011) followed by 244, then 272 and the subscriber number. For example, from the US, dial 011 244 272 XXX XXX.
Regulatory and Technical Notes
Angola's national numbering plan follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations. The area code 272 is classified as a geographic NDC, meaning that the tariff and routing are based on the physical location of the line. Fixed-line services in this region are primarily provided by Angola Telecom, the incumbent operator, though the market has been liberalized. As of the latest updates, there are no overlay codes in Benguela, so the 272 code is unique to the province. However, number portability is not yet fully implemented for fixed lines, so the geographic association remains strong.
When dialing from a mobile phone within Angola, it is common to include the trunk prefix 0 even for fixed-line numbers. For VoIP users, ensure that your provider supports calls to geographic Angolan numbers; international rates may apply.