Area Code 566 – Baja Kunda/Basse/Fatoto/Gambisara/Garawol/Misera/Sambakunda/Sudowol

Overview of Gambia Area Code 566

In The Gambia, the national numbering plan follows the ITU-T E.164 standard, with country calling code +220. Geographic area codes are assigned to specific administrative regions and are used for fixed-line (PSTN) services. Area code 566 serves the eastern part of the country, covering the towns and settlements of Baja Kunda, Basse, Fatoto, Gambisara, Garawol, Misera, Sambakunda, and Sudowol. This region is part of the Upper River Division, a key agricultural and border area adjacent to Senegal.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 566 area code is allocated to the Basse Santa Su area, which is the administrative capital of the Upper River Region. Basse is a major commercial hub and river port on the Gambia River. The code also covers smaller communities such as Fatoto, located near the eastern border, and Garawol, known for its proximity to the Senegalese border. These areas are primarily served by fixed-line networks operated by Gamtel, the national telecommunications incumbent, though some VoIP services may also be assigned numbers in this range.

Dialing Formats

For callers within The Gambia, dialing a number in the 566 area code requires the full national number, which is seven digits long. The format is: 566 XXXX (e.g., 566 1234). For international callers, the country code +220 must be included, and the leading zero (if any) is omitted. The international format is: +220 566 XXXX (e.g., +220 566 1234). Note that The Gambia uses a closed numbering plan, meaning the area code is always dialed, even for local calls within the same area.

Caller Instructions

Local callers within the 566 area should dial the full seven-digit number (566 XXXX) to reach another fixed-line subscriber in the same region. Callers from other parts of The Gambia must also dial the full seven-digit number, as there are no trunk prefixes. International callers should dial their international access code (e.g., 00 from most countries) followed by 220 and then the seven-digit number. For example, from the United States, dial 011 220 566 XXXX; from the United Kingdom, dial 00 220 566 XXXX.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for the 566 area, and the numbering capacity is sufficient for the region's fixed-line demand. However, as The Gambia expands its telecommunications infrastructure, including fiber-optic networks and VoIP adoption, number allocation may evolve. It is always advisable to verify the current dialing procedures with your service provider, especially for business communications.