Area Code 224 – Cocoli, Santo Antão

Geographic Overview

The area code 224 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Cocoli region on the island of Santo Antão, Cape Verde. Santo Antão is the westernmost island of the Barlavento group and is known for its dramatic mountainous terrain and deep valleys. The Cocoli area encompasses the administrative seat of the municipality of Porto Novo, located on the southeastern coast of the island. This code serves the town and its surrounding rural communities, including the Ribeira das Patas valley and the coastal settlements along the Baía do Porto Novo.

Dialing Formats

When calling a landline in Cocoli from abroad, the international format is +238 224 XXXX, where +238 is the country calling code for Cape Verde, 224 is the area code, and XXXX is the four-digit subscriber number. From within Cape Verde, callers must dial the full national number: 224 XXXX (the trunk prefix 0 is not used in Cape Verde). Local calls within the same area code can be made using only the subscriber number, but it is common practice to dial the full number for clarity.

Regulatory and Technical Notes

The numbering plan for Cape Verde is regulated by the Agência de Regulação Económica (ARE), following ITU-T E.164 recommendations. Geographic numbers are allocated to fixed-line services provided by the incumbent operator, Cabo Verde Telecom (CVMóvel is the mobile arm). The 224 code is part of the national numbering plan that assigns two-digit area codes to each island or region. Santo Antão is also served by the 221 code for the northern part of the island (Ribeira Grande), while 224 covers the southern and central areas.

There are no overlay codes or 10-digit dialing requirements in Cape Verde; the national significant number (NSN) is always seven digits, comprising the two-digit area code and a five-digit subscriber number. Mobile numbers, in contrast, begin with 9 and are non-geographic.

Caller Instructions

International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or +), then 238, then 224, followed by the five-digit subscriber number. For example, to call a number in Cocoli, you would dial +238 224 12345 (replace with the actual number). Domestic callers: Simply dial 224 12345 from any phone in Cape Verde. If you are physically in the Cocoli area and calling another local number, you may dial just the last five digits, but this is not recommended for clarity.

As Cape Verde transitions to IP-based networks, geographic numbers may be used for VoIP services, but the caller should note that the tariff for calling a geographic number is typically lower than calling a mobile number. Always confirm the correct number with the recipient, as number portability allows subscribers to retain their numbers when switching operators, but geographic numbers are generally tied to the fixed network.