Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Gambia is now only hours away from a major change to its telephone numbering system, with the transition from seven-digit to nine-digit phone numbers scheduled to take effect at midnight on Friday, September 4.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) said the National Numbering Plan Migration will officially begin at 00:00 hours on September 4, 2026, marking a significant change in how mobile numbers are dialled across the country.
Under the new system, subscribers will retain their existing seven-digit numbers, but a unique two-digit operator prefix will be inserted immediately after the leading zero.
What changes at midnight
For Africell subscribers, the new prefix will be 87, while QCell will use 83 and Comium 86.
This means existing seven-digit numbers will be transformed into nine-digit numbers by placing the relevant operator prefix between the initial zero and the existing subscriber number.
PURA said both the old seven-digit and new nine-digit formats will operate simultaneously from September 4, giving consumers time to adjust to the new system.
The regulator stressed that the migration will not require consumers to replace their SIM cards or handsets, while network providers, account balances, and existing mobile services will also remain unaffected.
Possible disruptions
PURA, however, warned that consumers could experience temporary network disruptions or interruptions to some services as telecommunications operators carry out coordinated changes to their networks and systems.
The regulator said it is working with telecommunications operators and other stakeholders to monitor the migration and minimize disruption.
The numbering change comes as The Gambia prepares to accommodate growing demand for telephone numbers and strengthen the organization and management of its national numbering resources.
PURA warns against scams
With the decisive switch only hours away, PURA has also issued a strong warning about possible fraud targeting consumers during the transition.
The regulator said scammers could attempt to exploit the migration by falsely telling subscribers that they must pay a fee or provide personal information to have their numbers migrated.
Consumers have also been warned never to disclose their mobile money PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs) to anyone claiming to be assisting with the migration.
PURA emphasized that the numbering plan migration is free of charge and neither the regulator nor telecommunications operators will request customers’ PINs, passwords, or OTPs.
Consumers experiencing persistent service-related problems after the migration can contact PURA on 148, free of charge on any network, or report issues through the regulator’s corporate affairs office.
With only a few hours remaining before the midnight switch, PURA is urging consumers to remain patient and vigilant as the country moves into the new nine-digit era.
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