Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has launched a nationwide public awareness campaign to prepare Gambians for the country’s transition from the current seven-digit telephone numbering system to a new nine-digit national numbering plan.
The campaign was officially unveiled during a press conference held on Tuesday, where PURA described the migration as a strategic national initiative aimed at addressing the growing demand for telecommunications services and supporting The Gambia’s digital transformation agenda.
According to the Authority, the new numbering plan will significantly expand the country’s numbering capacity, increasing the available pool of telephone numbers from 10 million to one billion to accommodate future growth in the telecommunications sector.
PURA announced that the migration to the new numbering system will take effect on 4 September 2026, when all mobile phone numbers will be converted to a nine-digit format through the addition of a two-digit prefix.
To ensure a smooth transition, both the existing seven-digit numbers and the new nine-digit numbers will operate simultaneously during a transitional period. This arrangement will allow subscribers sufficient time to update their contacts and make any necessary adjustments.
The Authority further disclosed that the old seven-digit numbering format will be permanently phased out on 30 November 2026. From that date onward, only nine-digit telephone numbers will be operational across the country.
PURA sought to reassure the public that the migration will not require subscribers to replace their SIM cards, change mobile devices, switch service providers, or re-register their SIM cards.
The Authority emphasized that customers will retain their existing airtime balances, data bundles, and registered SIM information, noting that the only change will be to the telephone number format itself.
Officials also highlighted ongoing collaboration between PURA, mobile network operators, and international partners to ensure the migration process is carried out smoothly, transparently, and without disruption to telecommunications services.
As part of the rollout, PURA said it will embark on an extensive public education campaign using multiple communication platforms to keep citizens, businesses, and other stakeholders informed throughout the transition period.
The authority urged members of the public to follow its official communication channels for updates and guidance and to seek further information through its hotline services during the migration process.
The transition marks one of the most significant changes to The Gambia’s telecommunications infrastructure in recent years and is expected to strengthen the sector’s capacity to support future technological and digital development.
Leave a Reply