Area Code 23 – Maritime region

Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction

The area code +228 23 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Maritime Region of Togo. This region is the country's most economically significant administrative area, encompassing the national capital, Lomé, and its surrounding metropolitan districts. The Maritime Region serves as the primary hub for government, commerce, and international trade, hosting the deep-water port of Lomé and the main international airport (Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport). The code covers both urban and peri-urban areas within the region, including districts such as Golfe, Lacs, and Vo, though the majority of subscribers are concentrated in the greater Lomé area.

Dialing Formats and Number Structure

In the international format, Togolese numbers are written as +228 23 XX XX XX, where the total number length after the country code is eight digits. The first two digits (23) represent the geographic area code, followed by a six-digit subscriber number. When dialing domestically within Togo, callers must include the trunk prefix 0 before the area code, resulting in the format 023 XX XX XX. For example, a local call from another region in Togo to a Maritime Region landline would be dialed as 023 45 67 89. From abroad, callers would dial +228 23 45 67 89, omitting the leading zero.

Caller Instructions

• Local callers (within Togo): Dial the trunk prefix '0' followed by the area code and subscriber number: 023 XX XX XX.
• International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or +), then Togo's country code 228, followed by the area code and subscriber number without the leading zero: +228 23 XX XX XX.

Overlay and Numbering Plan Considerations

As of the current ITU-T E.164 national numbering plan, Togo has not implemented overlay codes for geographic areas. The Maritime Region retains a single NDC (23) for fixed-line services. However, due to the rapid growth of telecommunications in Lomé, the regulatory authority (Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes - ARCEP) has periodically reviewed numbering resources. Subscribers may encounter number portability, which allows users to retain their fixed-line number when switching providers, but the geographic significance of the prefix remains unchanged. For VoIP or mobile users, the geographic code does not apply; mobile numbers in Togo begin with '9' or '7' and are non-geographic.

Practical Usage and Examples

Businesses and residents in the Maritime Region rely on this code for fixed-line services, including ADSL, fiber-optic, and PSTN connections. When providing contact details, it is essential to use the international format to ensure global reachability. For instance, a company in Lomé might list its phone number as +228 23 12 34 56. Callers from neighboring countries such as Ghana or Benin must use the international prefix, as direct dialing without the country code will not connect.