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Botswana ☎️ Landline / Geographic

Area Code 394 – Gaborone

The phone area code for Gaborone is 394 (international format +267394). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.

Current Local Time
03:33:48
UTC • UTC +00:00
Full Dialing Format
+267394
Population 246,325
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Admin Region Gaborone
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Elevation 1011m
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GPS Coordinates -24.6545, 25.9086
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📍 Geographic Location of Gaborone

Overview of Botswana Area Code 394

Area code 394 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Gaborone, the capital and largest city of Botswana. It is part of the country's public switched telephone network (PSTN) plan, administered under the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T) E.164 recommendation. Gaborone serves as the administrative, economic, and diplomatic hub of Botswana, hosting government ministries, foreign embassies, and major corporate headquarters. The 394 code covers the central business district and surrounding residential and industrial areas within the city's metropolitan boundary.

Dialing Formats

When calling a fixed-line number in Gaborone, the national significant number (NSN) is eight digits long, comprising the three-digit area code (394) followed by a five-digit subscriber number (e.g., 394 XX XXX). For local calls within Gaborone, callers may dial only the five-digit subscriber number, depending on the incumbent operator's local dialing rules. However, for calls from other regions in Botswana, the full NSN must be used: 394 XX XXX. International callers must include Botswana's country calling code +267, resulting in the format: +267 394 XX XXX.

Calling Instructions

  • Local call (within Gaborone): Dial the five-digit subscriber number (e.g., 12345).
  • National call (from other parts of Botswana): Dial 394 12345.
  • International call (from abroad): Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 011 from North America, 00 from most European countries), then 267 394 12345.

Regulatory and Technical Notes

The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) oversees numbering assignments. As of the latest updates, no overlay code has been introduced for Gaborone, meaning 394 remains the sole geographic code for the city's fixed-line services. However, due to the growth of VoIP and mobile services, some businesses may use non-geographic numbers, but 394 strictly identifies a physical location. Callers should be aware that fixed-line numbers in Botswana are not portable to mobile networks, and vice versa, ensuring that the geographic association remains reliable for emergency services and location-based routing.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dialing format for calling a Gaborone number from the United States?
To call a Gaborone fixed-line number from the US, dial 011 (exit code), then 267 (Botswana country code), then 394 and the five-digit subscriber number. For example, 011 267 394 12345.
Is area code 394 used for mobile phones in Botswana?
No, 394 is a geographic area code assigned exclusively to fixed-line services in Gaborone. Mobile numbers in Botswana use non-geographic prefixes such as 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, and others.
Can I dial a Gaborone number without the area code if I am calling from within Gaborone?
Yes, for local calls within Gaborone, you may dial only the five-digit subscriber number. However, it is always safe to dial the full national number (394 + subscriber) to avoid issues with varying local dialing rules.
Are there any plans to introduce an overlay code for Gaborone?
As of the latest BOCRA numbering plan, no overlay code has been announced for Gaborone. The 394 code remains the sole geographic code for the city's fixed-line services.
Does number portability affect the geographic association of 394 numbers?
In Botswana, fixed-line numbers are not portable to mobile networks. However, fixed-to-fixed portability may exist, but the geographic significance of 394 is maintained for routing and emergency services.