Area Code 23 – Beira

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Context

The area code 23 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the city of Beira, the capital of Sofala Province in central Mozambique. Beira is the country's second-largest city and a major port, serving as a commercial hub for the central region. The code covers the urban area of Beira and its immediate surroundings, including the municipalities of Dondo and Nhamatanda, which are part of the greater Beira metropolitan region. As a geographic code, it is tied to the PSTN infrastructure of this specific region, and its use is regulated by the Instituto Nacional de Comunicações de Moçambique (INCM), the national telecommunications authority.

Dialing Formats and Usage

When calling a fixed-line number in Beira from within Mozambique, subscribers must dial the trunk prefix 0, followed by the area code 23 and the local subscriber number, which typically consists of 6 digits. The complete national format is 0XX XXX XXX, where the first two digits after the trunk prefix are the area code. For example, a local number might be formatted as 023 456 789.

From abroad, callers must use the international access prefix (e.g., 00 from most countries), followed by Mozambique's country code +258, then the area code 23 without the leading trunk prefix, and the 6-digit subscriber number. Thus, the international format becomes +258 23 456 789. It is crucial to omit the initial '0' when dialing from outside Mozambique.

For callers within Beira, local calls may be dialed using only the 6-digit subscriber number, depending on the operator's network configuration. However, for clarity and consistency, it is recommended to always include the area code when dialing from mobile phones or from other regions.

Overlay and Numbering Considerations

As of the latest INCM updates, there is no overlay code for the Beira area; the 23 code remains the sole geographic code for the region. However, due to the growth of mobile and VoIP services, fixed-line penetration is limited, and many businesses and residents rely on mobile numbers (prefixes 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87) or VoIP services. When calling a fixed-line number in Beira, callers should be aware that the number of fixed lines is decreasing, and some numbers may be migrated to VoIP platforms, but the geographic code remains unchanged for routing purposes.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Mozambique): Dial 0 23 XXX XXX (including the trunk prefix).
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code, then +258 23 XXX XXX (omit the leading '0').
• Mobile callers within Mozambique: Always include the area code, as mobile networks require full national numbering.

For any assistance, contact your service provider or refer to INCM guidelines.