Area Code 272 – Mutoko

Geographic Coverage and Administration

The +263 272 country calling code and area code combination routes calls to the Mutoko district in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe. Mutoko is a rural administrative center located approximately 140 kilometers northeast of Harare, near the Mozambique border. The code serves the Mutoko town center and its surrounding communal lands, including growth points such as Nyamuzizi and Charehwa. As a geographic code, 272 is allocated under Zimbabwe's national numbering plan administered by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ). It is used exclusively for fixed-line PSTN services, with no mobile or VoIP assignments under this prefix.

Dialing Formats and Procedures

For callers within Zimbabwe, the national dialing format is 0272 XXX XXX, where the leading 0 is the trunk prefix. Local numbers are seven digits long, with the area code 272 followed by a five-digit subscriber number. To call from abroad, dial +263 272 XXX XXX (or 00263 272 XXX XXX from countries using the international prefix 00). For example, a landline in Mutoko might be reached at +263 272 12345. When dialing locally within Mutoko, callers can often omit the area code and dial just the five-digit number, depending on the local exchange configuration. However, for clarity and to avoid misrouting, it is recommended to always include the area code.

Overlay Considerations and Numbering

As of the latest POTRAZ updates, there is no overlay code for the 272 area. The numbering capacity is sufficient for the district's fixed-line subscriber base. However, due to the limited fixed-line penetration in rural Zimbabwe, many residents rely on mobile networks. Mobile numbers in Zimbabwe are non-geographic and begin with 71, 73, 77, 78, or 71 (for operators like Econet, NetOne, and Telecel), and are not tied to the 272 area code. When calling a mobile number from a Mutoko landline, the full national format (0 followed by the mobile prefix) must be used.

Caller Instructions

For local callers: If you are within the Mutoko area and dialing another local fixed line, you may dial the five-digit subscriber number directly. For calls from other parts of Zimbabwe, dial 0272 followed by the subscriber number. For international callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 or 011) followed by 263, then 272, and the five-digit subscriber number. Do not include the trunk prefix 0. Ensure you have the correct international dialing format to avoid call failures. For assistance, contact your service provider.