Area Code 45 – Nouakchott

Geographic Context and Coverage

The Mauritanian country code +222, assigned under ITU-T E.164, is followed by a two-digit National Destination Code (NDC) that routes calls to specific geographic areas or mobile networks. The prefix 45 is the geographic area code for Nouakchott, the capital and largest city of Mauritania. This code covers the administrative region of Nouakchott, which is subdivided into nine departments (e.g., Teyarett, Ksar, Tevragh-Zeina, Toujounine, Sebkha, El Mina, Dar Naim, Arafat, and Riyad). As the political, economic, and cultural hub, Nouakchott hosts the majority of government institutions, foreign embassies, and corporate headquarters. Consequently, the 45 code is predominantly used by fixed-line subscribers, including businesses, public administrations, and residential users within the city limits.

Dialing Formats and Procedures

For international callers, the complete number format is +222 45 XX XX XX (or +22245123456 as a continuous string). The national significant number (NSN) is eight digits, beginning with the NDC '45' followed by six subscriber digits. When dialing from within Mauritania, callers must prefix the NSN with the trunk prefix '0', resulting in the domestic format 0 45 XX XX XX. For example, a local Nouakchott number might be 45 12 34 56; from abroad, you would dial +222 45 12 34 56. It is essential to omit the leading '0' when using the international format.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Mauritania's numbering plan is closed, with fixed eight-digit numbers for all services. The 45 area code is not overlaid with other geographic codes; each region has a distinct NDC (e.g., 45 for Nouakchott, other codes for interior regions). However, due to the increasing demand for telecommunication services, the regulatory authority, Autorité de Régulation (ARE), has implemented number portability, allowing subscribers to retain their numbers when changing operators within the same service category. For geographic numbers, porting is typically limited to the same geographic area, meaning a number with the 45 prefix will generally remain associated with Nouakchott even if the subscriber moves to a different operator.

Caller Instructions and Practical Tips

For local callers within Nouakchott, dialing the eight-digit number directly (e.g., 45 12 34 56) is sufficient. For callers in other Mauritanian regions, dial the trunk prefix '0' followed by the NDC and subscriber number (e.g., 0 45 12 34 56). International callers should replace the trunk prefix with the +222 country code. When storing numbers in mobile contacts, it is recommended to use the international format (+222 45 12 34 56) to ensure proper routing when roaming or dialing from abroad. Note that calls to geographic numbers are typically charged at standard fixed-line rates, which may vary depending on the caller's operator and subscription plan.