Area Code 24 – Quelimane

Overview of Area Code +258 24

The country calling code +258 is assigned to Mozambique under the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan. Within this national plan, the prefix 24 serves as a Geographic Area Code, specifically designated for the city of Quelimane, the capital of Zambezia Province. This code is used for fixed-line (PSTN) telephone services, connecting callers to businesses, government offices, and residential subscribers within the Quelimane metropolitan area and its immediate surroundings.

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

Quelimane is located in central Mozambique, along the Bons Sinais River near the Indian Ocean coast. The area code 24 covers the urban and peri-urban zones of Quelimane, including neighborhoods such as Manhaua, Icidua, and the central business district. It also extends to some adjacent rural exchanges that are part of the Quelimane local network. Administratively, this code falls under the regulatory authority of the Instituto Nacional de Comunicações de Moçambique (INCM), which oversees the national numbering plan.

Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions

To call a fixed-line number in Quelimane from abroad, dial the international access prefix (e.g., 00 or + from most countries), followed by 258 (country code), then the area code 24 (without the leading trunk prefix), and finally the local subscriber number. For example, a local number might be formatted as +258 24 12345 (note: actual subscriber numbers are typically 5 to 6 digits long).

For domestic long-distance calls from other parts of Mozambique, dial the trunk prefix 0, then 24, followed by the subscriber number: 0 24 12345. Local calls within Quelimane may be dialed using only the subscriber number, depending on the operator's dialing plan. As of the latest INCM guidelines, there are no overlay codes in Quelimane; the 24 code is unique to this geographic region.

Important Considerations for Callers

• International callers must always include the +258 country code and drop the leading '0' of the domestic trunk prefix.
• Mobile-to-fixed calls require the full national format (0 24 ...) when dialing from a mobile phone within Mozambique.
• VoIP and satellite calls may have different routing requirements; always verify with your service provider.
• Numbering changes are rare, but it is advisable to check with INCM or your telecom operator for any updates.

Understanding the correct dialing format ensures seamless connectivity to Quelimane's fixed-line network, whether you are a local resident, a business partner, or a tourist.