Area Code 232 – Mindelo, São Vicente

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The area code 232 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the island of São Vicente in the Republic of Cape Verde. Specifically, it serves the city of Mindelo, the second-largest urban center in the country and the cultural capital. The code covers the entire municipality of São Vicente, including the main urban area and its surrounding settlements. Mindelo is a major port city and a hub for commerce, tourism, and services, making the 232 code essential for businesses, government offices, and residents in this region.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

Cape Verde's national numbering plan follows ITU-T E.164 recommendations. Numbers under the 232 code are seven digits long when dialed nationally, formatted as 232 XXXX. The first three digits (232) are the area code, followed by a four-digit subscriber number. For international callers, the full number is dialed as +238 232 XXXX, where +238 is the country calling code for Cape Verde. When calling from within Cape Verde but outside the São Vicente area, you must dial 0 232 XXXX (the trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and subscriber number). However, within Mindelo, local calls may be placed using only the seven-digit number, depending on the operator's dialing plan.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for São Vicente; the 232 code is exclusively used for fixed-line services in this region. The numbering capacity is sufficient for the local demand, and no changes are anticipated in the near future. As Cape Verde's telecommunications market evolves, the regulatory authority (Agência de Regulação Económica - ARE) monitors numbering resources to ensure efficient allocation.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within São Vicente): Dial the seven-digit subscriber number (e.g., 232 1234).
• National callers (outside São Vicente): Dial 0 then 232 and the subscriber number (e.g., 0 232 1234).
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code, then 238 (Cape Verde country code), then 232 and the subscriber number (e.g., from the US: 011 238 232 1234; from the UK: 00 238 232 1234).

This code is used for traditional PSTN lines and VoIP services that are assigned geographic numbers. When contacting businesses or residents in Mindelo, always verify the full number to avoid misdialing, as the subscriber portion is essential for successful routing.