Area Code 22 – Maseru

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The area code 22 is the National Destination Code (NDC) for the Maseru District in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Maseru is the capital and largest urban center of Lesotho, functioning as the country's administrative, commercial, and diplomatic hub. The district encompasses the capital city of Maseru and its surrounding peri-urban areas, including the industrial zones and residential suburbs that form the core of Lesotho's economic activity. This geographic code is allocated exclusively to fixed-line (PSTN) services within this region, as per the national numbering plan administered by the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA).

Dialing Formats and Instructions

When calling a fixed-line number in Maseru from within Lesotho, subscribers must dial the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 22 and the subscriber's 6-digit local number. For example, a local call to a number in Maseru would be formatted as 0 22 XXX XXX. However, when dialing from abroad, callers must use the international prefix (typically 00 or +), followed by Lesotho's country code 266, the area code 22 (without the leading trunk zero), and the 6-digit subscriber number. Thus, an international caller would dial +266 22 XXX XXX.

Number Structure and Overlay Considerations

Lesotho's fixed-line numbers are consistently 8 digits long when including the area code, with the NDC being two digits (22) and the subscriber number being six digits. As of the latest numbering plan updates, there are no overlay codes in Maseru; the 22 code remains exclusive to the district. However, due to the increasing demand for telecommunication services, the LCA periodically reviews numbering resources to ensure sufficient capacity. Subscribers in Maseru can dial local numbers without the area code only if they are within the same exchange area, but for clarity and to avoid misdialing, it is recommended to always use the full national format.

Caller Instructions for Local and International Callers

For local callers within Lesotho: To call a fixed-line number in Maseru from another district, dial 0 22 XXX XXX. For international callers: Replace the trunk zero with the country code +266, resulting in +266 22 XXX XXX. It is important to note that while mobile numbers in Lesotho also begin with +266, they are non-geographic and use different prefixes (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8). Therefore, the presence of 22 after the country code unequivocally identifies a fixed-line number in the Maseru area.

Practical Example

Suppose a business in Maseru has the local number 2231 4567. A caller from within Lesotho would dial 022 314 567 (or 022314567 without spaces). An international caller from the United States would dial 011 266 22 314 567, while a caller from the United Kingdom would dial 00 266 22 314 567. This format ensures proper routing through the international gateway to the fixed-line network in Maseru.