Area Code 218 – Gao/Kidal
The phone area code for Gao/Kidal is 218 (international format +223218). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📍 Geographic Location of Gao/Kidal
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The area code 218 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the regions of Gao and Kidal in the Republic of Mali. These regions are located in the northeastern part of the country and are among the largest administrative divisions in Mali. The code covers the urban centers of Gao (the regional capital) and Kidal, as well as surrounding communes and rural areas. As a geographic code, it is used for fixed-line telephone services (PSTN) within these jurisdictions.
Dialing Formats and Instructions
When calling a fixed-line subscriber in the Gao/Kidal area from within Mali, the national trunk prefix 0 is dialed before the area code and the subscriber's local number. The complete national format is: 0 218 XX XX XX (where each X represents a digit of the local subscriber number). For example, a local call to a subscriber number 12 34 56 would be dialed as 0 218 12 34 56.
For international callers, the country code for Mali is +223. The leading trunk prefix '0' is omitted. The international dialing format is: +223 218 XX XX XX. For instance, to reach the same subscriber from abroad, you would dial +223 218 12 34 56.
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
As of the latest ITU-T E.164 national numbering plan updates, there is no overlay code for the Gao/Kidal geographic area. The 218 code remains the sole geographic NDC for this region. Subscriber numbers within this code are typically seven digits long, including the NDC. The Malian regulatory authority (Autorité Malienne de Régulation des Télécommunications/TIC) manages the allocation of these numbers.
Caller Instructions
Local callers within Mali should always include the trunk prefix '0' when dialing any fixed-line number in a different geographic area. International callers must replace the '0' with the country code +223. It is important to note that calls to geographic numbers are typically charged at standard fixed-line rates, which may vary depending on the operator and the caller's subscription plan.