Central African Republic Country Code +236
The international country calling code for the Central African Republic (CAR) is +236. The country uses an 8-digit national numbering plan with no trunk prefix 0 and no separate area codes. From inside CAR you dial just the 8 digits (for example 21 61 22 00), while callers from abroad dial +236 followed by those same 8 digits.
Fixed lines in the capital Bangui commonly start with 21, while other regions use ranges such as 22. Mobile numbers are usually allocated in blocks like 70xx xxxx, 72xx xxxx, 75xx xxxx and 77xx xxxx depending on the operator. All of these appear internationally in the format +236 XXXX XXXX.
This guide explains how Central African Republic phone numbers are structured, how to call +236 numbers from the US, UK and elsewhere, how the country’s West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1) works, and which emergency numbers (such as 117, 118 and 1220) you should know when calling or travelling to Bangui or other towns.
Example landline (Bangui)
+236 21 61 22 00
Dial inside CAR as 21 61 22 00; from abroad as +236 21 61 22 00.
Example mobile
+236 75 12 34 56
Typical mobile range: 70/72/75/77 + 6 digits, stored as +236 75 12 34 56.
Time & daylight saving
WAT (UTC+1) · Africa/Bangui
CAR follows West Africa Time all year with no daylight saving time.
Overview – where +236 is used
The country code +236 covers the entire Central African Republic, a landlocked country in the heart of Africa bordering Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. You will encounter +236 numbers with government agencies, humanitarian organisations, mining operations, NGOs, logistics providers and local businesses concentrated around Bangui and other regional centres.
CAR’s national numbering plan is an 8-digit closed plan. The national significant number (NSN) has 8 digits and is dialed in full everywhere in the country. From outside CAR, you simply add +236 in front of those eight digits. There is no trunk 0, and no need to insert or remove extra digits when switching between national and international formats.
Fixed lines use ranges like 21xx xxxx in Bangui and 22xx xxxx in other zones, while mobile blocks such as 70xx, 72xx, 75xx and 77xx are assigned to different mobile operators. Coverage is strongest in Bangui and along major roads, and more limited in remote rural areas, so many organisations rely heavily on mobile numbers and even satellite links.
Where you’ll commonly see +236 numbers
- Government & administration – ministries, local authorities and public services in Bangui and prefecture capitals.
- Humanitarian & development projects – NGOs, UN agencies and Red Cross operations using +236 mobile contact numbers.
- Trade, mining & logistics – timber, minerals and supply-chain operators communicating via +236 mobiles and fixed lines.
For CRM, shipping and travel planning, storing these contacts consistently as +236XXXXXXXX (country code + 8 digits) will make routing and messaging much easier.
Central African Republic phone number formats (+236)
Generic pattern: +236 XXXX XXXX (8 digits)The Central African Republic follows a relatively simple 8-digit numbering structure:
- • Length: the national significant number (NSN) always has 8 digits. From abroad you dial +236 + the 8-digit NSN.
- • Fixed lines: many geographic fixed numbers start with 21 in the Bangui area (for example 21 61 22 00) and 22 for towns like Berbérati and other regions.
- • Mobiles: mobile allocations typically use ranges such as 70xx xxxx, 72xx xxxx, 75xx xxxx and 77xx xxxx, assigned to different GSM operators. A mobile might be written as 75 12 34 56.
- • Special & non-geographic numbers: additional ranges (including some starting with 73) are used for non-geographic mobile and services. These are less common in day-to-day contact lists but appear in official numbering updates.
- • Short codes: emergency numbers such as 117 (police), 118 (fire) and 1220 (ambulance) are shorter than 8 digits and are not dialed with +236.
When cleaning data, if a CAR number (after removing spaces and punctuation) does not have exactly 8 digits, it is probably incomplete or still includes an international prefix that should be stripped before adding +236.
Sample CAR numbers
Illustrative onlyInside CAR dial 21 61 22 00 – the leading “21” indicates a fixed line in the capital area.
Numbers beginning with 22 are used in regional towns and other fixed-line zones.
A typical 70xx mobile range. National format: 70 45 67 89.
Another 8-digit mobile example in a 75xx block; dialed as 75 12 34 56 within CAR.
How to dial Central African Republic (+236)
1. From the USA or Canada
To call CAR from North America, you first dial the international exit code 011, then the country code 236, then the 8-digit local number.
- Dial 011 – US/Canada exit code.
- Dial 236 – Central African Republic’s country code.
- Dial the 8-digit number (for example 21 61 22 00).
Example (Chicago → Bangui fixed line 21 61 22 00): 011 236 21 61 22 00.
2. From the UK, EU or most other countries
In most of Europe and many other regions, you start with 00 as the international prefix, then dial 236 and the 8-digit national number.
- Dial 00 – international access code.
- Dial 236 – CAR country code.
- Dial the 8-digit local number (no 0 to remove).
Example (Paris → mobile 75 12 34 56): 00 236 75 12 34 56.
3. Dialing inside CAR & calling abroad
- Within CAR: dial the full 8-digit number, such as 21 61 22 00 for a fixed line or 75 12 34 56 for a mobile.
- From CAR to other countries: dial the international prefix 00, then the destination country code and number. For example, 00 33 1 44 00 00 00 for a Paris landline.
- Short codes: emergency numbers 117, 118 and 1220 are dialed directly with no prefix or +236.
If you see a CAR number saved as 00236…, convert it to +236XXXXXXXX for consistent storage in address books and systems.
Normalisation tip: a correct Central African Republic number in E.164 format has the shape +236XXXXXXXX – the plus sign, 236, and exactly 8 digits.
Time in the Central African Republic – West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1)
The Central African Republic uses a single time zone across the country: West Africa Time (WAT) with a UTC offset of +01:00. The official IANA time-zone identifier is Africa/Bangui. CAR does not observe daylight saving time, so the offset stays UTC+1 all year round.
In practice, that means Bangui is usually 1 hour ahead of UTC, aligned with neighbouring Cameroon and Chad. It is typically 6 hours ahead of New York during US standard time and 5 hours ahead when the US is on daylight saving time. Compared with central European cities like Paris or Berlin, Bangui is usually 1 hour behind in winter and can be aligned or one hour behind in summer depending on DST.
When you configure calendars or systems, choose “Africa/Bangui” specifically rather than a generic GMT+1 label to keep time-zone data consistent with other WAT countries and avoid future drift.
Bangui vs other time zones
| City / region | Time zone | Offset vs Bangui |
|---|---|---|
| Bangui | WAT (UTC+1) | Reference |
| Lagos | WAT (UTC+1) | Same time |
| London (winter) | GMT (UTC+0) | −1 hour |
| Paris (winter) | CET (UTC+1) | Same time |
| New York (standard) | ET (UTC−5) | −6 hours |
| Beijing | CST (UTC+8) | +7 hours |
For international teams, mid-afternoon in Bangui works well for same-day overlap with both Europe and parts of North America.
Emergency numbers in the Central African Republic
The Central African Republic has separate three- and four-digit emergency codes for police, fire and ambulance. These short numbers can be dialed from most fixed lines and mobiles without any prefix. Travellers should memorise at least the core codes below and save important local numbers (hospitals, clinics, NGO security contacts) as backups.
Police / Gendarmerie
117
Dial 117 for police and gendarmerie. In serious security incidents or crime, this is the primary emergency number to use.
Ambulance / medical
1220
1220 is widely cited as the dedicated ambulance and medical emergency number. Response capacity may be limited outside Bangui, so keep hospital contacts on hand.
Fire services
118
Dial 118 to report building fires, vehicle fires or other situations requiring fire brigade intervention.
Other contacts
Local numbers
Some organisations and embassies publish their own emergency lines. Travellers should also note hotel, NGO security and embassy contacts as part of their safety plan.
Languages at emergency centres may be limited; French and Sango are more widely spoken than English. When possible, ask local partners which numbers are most reliable in the area where you will be staying.
Examples: calling +236 numbers
US (New York) → Bangui ministry (fixed)
Number in CAR: 21 61 22 00.
- From the US, dial the international exit code 011.
- Dial the country code 236.
- Dial the 8-digit number 21 61 22 00.
Result: 011 236 21 61 22 00
UK (London) → CAR mobile
Mobile in CAR: 75 12 34 56.
- Dial 00 – UK exit code.
- Dial 236 – CAR country code.
- Dial 75 12 34 56 – the 8-digit mobile.
Result: 00 236 75 12 34 56
Inside CAR – Bangui mobile → provincial office
Provincial fixed line: 22 34 56 78.
- From any CAR mobile, dial the full 8 digits: 22 34 56 78.
- No trunk prefix or extra digits are needed between regions.
International callers use: +236 22 34 56 78 .
Central African Republic country code +236 – FAQ
How many digits are in a Central African Republic phone number?
Standard phone numbers in the Central African Republic have an 8-digit national number after +236. There is no leading trunk 0, and you always dial all 8 digits inside the country.
Do CAR numbers ever start with 0?
No. The current numbering plan does not use a trunk prefix 0. Valid national numbers start directly with digits like 2 (fixed) or 7 (mobile). If you see a number beginning with 0 before the 8-digit block, it is likely an old or mis-stored format.
How can I tell if a +236 number is mobile or landline?
Look at the first one or two digits of the 8-digit number. Ranges starting with 21 or 22 are generally fixed lines, while ranges like 70, 72, 75 and 77 are used for mobile services. However, the exact mapping can change as regulators add new blocks.
What emergency number should I use in the Central African Republic?
The standard emergency numbers are 117 for police or gendarmerie, 118 for the fire brigade and 1220 for ambulance and medical emergencies. These are local short codes; you do not dial +236 or any prefix before them.
Does the Central African Republic observe daylight saving time?
No. The Central African Republic remains on West Africa Time (UTC+1) throughout the year and does not switch between summer and winter time. Only your own country’s DST changes will affect the time difference with Bangui.
Are +236 numbers used for WhatsApp and other apps?
Yes. People and organisations in CAR usually register WhatsApp and similar apps with their +236 mobile numbers in full international format (for example +236 75 12 34 56). Saving contacts this way avoids confusion and makes roaming and VoIP services more reliable.
Download the Central African Republic (+236) dialing & time zone cheat sheet
Export this page as a compact PDF summarising CAR’s +236 country code, 8-digit numbering plan, fixed and mobile ranges, WAT (UTC+1) time zone and emergency numbers (117, 118, 1220). Ideal for NGO security files, logistics teams and contact-centre reference.