Area Code 21 – Maputo

Overview of Mozambique's +258 21 Geographic Code

The country calling code +258 is assigned to Mozambique under the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan. Within this national plan, the prefix 21 serves as the National Destination Code (NDC) for the capital city, Maputo, and its surrounding metropolitan area. This is a geographic allocation, meaning the number is tied to a physical location and is primarily used for fixed-line (PSTN) services. The full international dialing format for a Maputo fixed-line number is +258 21 XXX XXX, where the NDC is followed by a six-digit subscriber number.

Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The 21 code covers the city of Maputo, which is the capital and largest city of Mozambique, as well as the adjacent municipalities that form the Greater Maputo Metropolitan Area. This includes districts such as Kamubukwana, KaMpfumu, and Katembe, and extends to parts of Maputo Province that are within the metropolitan commuting zone. As the country's political, economic, and cultural hub, Maputo hosts the headquarters of most national banks, government ministries, and multinational corporations. Consequently, the 21 prefix is heavily used by businesses, government offices, and residential landlines in the capital region.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

For local callers within Mozambique, the number is dialed as 21 XXX XXX (without the country code). When calling from a mobile phone within Mozambique, the same format applies. For international callers, the full international format must be used: +258 21 XXX XXX (or 00258 21 XXX XXX from countries using the international prefix 00). It is essential to drop the leading '0' if present in domestic listings, as Mozambique uses a closed numbering plan with no trunk prefix. For example, a Maputo landline might be listed as 21 456 789; internationally, you would dial +258 21 456 789.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

Currently, there is no overlay code for Maputo; the 21 code remains the sole geographic NDC for the capital. However, due to the growth of mobile and VoIP services, fixed-line penetration is limited, and many numbers in Maputo may be used for corporate voice over IP (VoIP) gateways. When dialing from abroad, callers should be aware that international call charges apply, and the call will be routed to a fixed-line network unless the number has been ported to a mobile operator (which is possible under Mozambique's number portability regulations). In such cases, the call may be terminated on a mobile network, potentially incurring higher termination charges for the caller's carrier.

Practical Examples and Usage

Suppose you need to contact a business in Maputo. The number is 21 234 567. From outside Mozambique, you would dial +258 21 234 567. If you are within Mozambique, simply dial 21 234 567. This prefix is exclusively for geographic numbers; mobile numbers in Mozambique begin with other prefixes such as 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87. Always verify the number format with the recipient to avoid misdialing.