Sudan Country Code +249: Complete Calling Guide 2026
Complete guide to Sudan country code +249. Learn how to call Khartoum, mobile carriers (Zain, MTN, Sudani), area codes, and the cheapest ways to call Sudan.
The Sudan country code is +249. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about calling Sudan in 2026, including how to dial Khartoum and other cities, mobile carrier prefixes (Zain, MTN, Sudani), and the cheapest ways to call Sudan from abroad. Sudan's telecommunications sector has been significantly disrupted by the armed conflict that began in April 2023, with widespread infrastructure damage affecting phone and internet services across the country.
Quick Reference: Sudan +249
Country Code: +249
Exit Code: 00
Trunk Prefix: 0
Capital: Khartoum
Time Zone: CAT (UTC+2)
Currency: Sudanese Pound (SDG)
How to Call Sudan
International Dialing Format
To call Sudan from abroad:
+ 249 + area/mobile code + numberImportant: Drop the leading "0" from Sudanese numbers when calling from abroad.
Dialing Examples
Sudan Area Codes
| City | Region | Area Code | International Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khartoum | Khartoum State | 15 | +249 15 |
| Omdurman | Khartoum State | 15 | +249 15 |
| Port Sudan | Red Sea State | 31 | +249 31 |
| Kassala | Kassala State | 41 | +249 41 |
| Wad Madani | Al Jazira State | 51 | +249 51 |
| El Obeid | North Kordofan State | 61 | +249 61 |
| Nyala | South Darfur State | 71 | +249 71 |
| El Fasher | North Darfur State | 73 | +249 73 |
| Atbara | River Nile State | 21 | +249 21 |
| Gedaref | Al Qadarif State | 44 | +249 44 |
| Dongola | Northern State | 24 | +249 24 |
Mobile Carriers in Sudan
| Carrier | Prefix | Market Share | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zain Sudan | 91X | ~45% | 2G / 3G / 4G LTE (limited) |
| MTN Sudan | 92X | ~33% | 2G / 3G / 4G LTE (limited) |
| Sudani (Sudatel) | 90X, 99X | ~22% | 2G / 3G / 4G LTE (limited) |
Sudan's three mobile operators have all been severely affected by the conflict that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Zain Sudan, the market leader, has reported widespread destruction of its network infrastructure, particularly in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan states. MTN Sudan and Sudatel have faced similar challenges. Many cell towers have been looted, damaged, or destroyed, and regular power outages make maintaining service extremely difficult. 4G LTE service, which was gradually expanding before the conflict, is now only available in limited areas.
Special & Emergency Numbers
| Service | Number | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Police | 999 | May not be operational in conflict areas |
| Ambulance | 333 | Limited availability |
| Fire Department | 998 | Major cities only |
| Traffic Police | 777 | Where available |
| Directory Enquiries | 222 | Sudatel directory service |
Warning: Due to the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan, emergency services are severely disrupted across much of the country, particularly in Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan states. These numbers may not connect in many areas. Hospital and emergency response infrastructure has been heavily damaged.
Cheapest Ways to Call Sudan
Free app-to-app calls when internet is available.
Best Times to Call Sudan
Sudan uses Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2, year-round with no daylight saving time. Business hours are typically Sunday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Friday and Saturday are rest days.
From US East (EST): Sudan is +7 hours. Call between 1 AM and 8 AM EST to reach them during business hours.
From US West (PST): Sudan is +10 hours. Call between 10 PM and 5 AM PST.
From UK (GMT): Sudan is +2 hours. Call between 6 AM and 1 PM GMT.
From Egypt: Same time zone (UTC+2). Call during normal business hours.
Note: Due to the ongoing conflict, network availability fluctuates significantly. Early morning calls tend to have better success rates as power and network infrastructure may be more stable. Ask your contacts about the best times to reach them based on their local conditions.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Calls to Khartoum do not connect
Khartoum has been one of the most heavily affected areas in the conflict. Large portions of the city's telecommunications infrastructure have been destroyed or are without power. If you cannot reach someone in Khartoum, try their mobile number on a different carrier, as coverage varies between Zain, MTN, and Sudani depending on which towers are operational.
Mobile networks keep going offline
Sudan's mobile networks experience frequent outages due to power cuts, fuel shortages for generators, and deliberate shutdowns by warring parties. Outages can last from hours to weeks in some areas. If you cannot reach someone, be patient and try again periodically. Port Sudan and eastern Sudan generally have more stable connectivity.
Internet-based calls fail
Internet connectivity in Sudan has been severely disrupted. The main submarine cable and terrestrial links have been damaged in various locations. When internet is available, bandwidth is extremely limited and VoIP quality may be poor. Traditional phone calls via the +249 country code may be more reliable than data-based alternatives.
Confusion between Sudan (+249) and South Sudan (+211)
South Sudan separated from Sudan in 2011 and has its own country code +211. If you are trying to reach someone in Juba or other South Sudanese cities, make sure to use +211, not +249. Numbers in the former unified country may have been renumbered after the split.
Very high calling rates
International calls to Sudan are expensive due to limited infrastructure and high termination costs. Rates from US carriers can exceed $0.40/minute. Using a VoIP service like BubblyPhone typically offers significantly lower per-minute rates for calls to both Sudanese landlines and mobiles.