Area Code 318 – Gaborone
The phone area code for Gaborone is 318 (international format +267318). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Gaborone
Overview of Botswana Area Code 318
Area code 318 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the capital city of Botswana, Gaborone, and its immediate surrounding areas. It forms part of the country's public switched telephone network (PSTN) and is used exclusively for fixed-line services. The full international dialing format for a number in this region is +267 318 XXXX, where +267 is the country calling code for Botswana, 318 is the NDC, and XXXX is the subscriber's local line number (typically 4 digits).
Geographic Coverage and Administration
The 318 code covers the central business district and several residential suburbs of Gaborone, including areas such as the Government Enclave, the main commercial zones, and nearby neighborhoods. As the administrative capital, Gaborone hosts numerous government ministries, foreign embassies, and corporate headquarters, all of which rely on this code for their fixed-line communications. The code is administered under the jurisdiction of the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA), which oversees numbering resources in compliance with ITU-T E.164 recommendations.
Dialing Instructions
For callers within Botswana, dialing a fixed-line number in Gaborone requires the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the NDC and the subscriber number. For example, to call a number in the 318 area from another part of Botswana, you would dial: 0 318 XXXX. However, if you are calling from outside Botswana, you must use the international access prefix of your country (typically 00 or +), followed by the country code 267, the NDC 318, and the subscriber number, omitting the leading trunk prefix: +267 318 XXXX.
Numbering and Overlay Considerations
Botswana's fixed-line numbering plan uses a closed numbering format with a total length of 8 digits (including the NDC) for national significant numbers. The 318 code does not have an overlay; it is a distinct geographic code within the Gaborone area. If you are calling a fixed-line number in Gaborone and encounter issues, ensure you have the correct 4-digit subscriber number, as numbers are often listed with the NDC included. For international callers, be mindful of time zone differences (Botswana is UTC+2) and always verify the number before dialing.
For businesses and residents in the 318 area, it is essential to provide the full international format on websites and correspondence to facilitate seamless global connectivity. As VoIP and mobile services expand, fixed-line numbers remain vital for official and corporate communications.