Area Code 4485 – Kafuta

Geographic Overview and Jurisdiction

The +220 4485 numbering block is a geographic allocation within the Republic of The Gambia's national numbering plan, administered by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) under ITU-T E.164 guidelines. This prefix serves the Kafuta area, a settlement located in the Kombo Central District of the West Coast Region, approximately 25 kilometers southwest of the capital, Banjul. Kafuta is part of the Greater Banjul Area's peri-urban expansion zone, with its local exchange infrastructure supporting fixed-line PSTN services for residential, commercial, and administrative subscribers.

Dialing Formats and Call Routing

Within The Gambia, callers must dial the full national significant number (NSN) of 7 digits, which includes the area code '4485' followed by the subscriber's 3-digit line number. For example, a local call to a Kafuta number would be dialed as 4485 XXX. International callers must dial the country code +220, then the NSN without any leading trunk prefix, resulting in the format +220 4485 XXX. For instance, a caller from the United States would dial 011 220 4485 XXX, while a caller from the United Kingdom would dial 00 220 4485 XXX. No trunk prefix '0' is used in The Gambia; the national dialing plan does not employ an area code separator, so the entire 7-digit sequence is dialed locally.

Geographic Coverage and Overlay Considerations

The 4485 prefix is dedicated to the Kafuta exchange and its immediate environs, including nearby villages such as Sibanor and Jambur. As a geographic code, it is tied to the physical location of the subscriber's fixed line. Currently, there are no overlay codes in this region; the 4485 prefix remains the sole code for Kafuta. However, with the ongoing migration toward VoIP and mobile services, some businesses may use this number for fixed-wireless access, but the number's geographic significance remains unchanged for routing and emergency services.

Caller Instructions and Practical Notes

For local callers within The Gambia, simply dial the 7-digit number. For international callers, ensure you have the correct exit code for your country, then dial +220 followed by the 7-digit number. Be aware that international call tariffs apply, and some VoIP services may require a '+' sign before the country code. For emergency services, always dial the national emergency number (e.g., 116 for police, 117 for fire) rather than a geographic number. When storing contacts, always use the international format (+220 4485 XXX) to ensure proper dialing from abroad.