The Gambia will transition from seven-digit to nine-digit telephone numbers from September 4, 2026, as authorities seek to expand numbering capacity and support growing demand for telecommunications services.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) launched a nationwide awareness campaign on Tuesday, June 30, to inform citizens and businesses about the change and help users prepare for the new numbering system.
During the transition period, which will run from September 4 to November 30, both the existing seven-digit numbers and the new nine-digit numbers will operate simultaneously. After the transition period ends, the seven-digit format will be discontinued and all users will be required to use the new nine-digit numbers.
The reform is aimed at addressing rising demand for mobile connectivity, digital services and connected devices. Under the new numbering system, the country will have capacity for up to one billion telephone numbers, compared with about 10 million under the current seven-digit format.
The expansion comes as mobile usage continues to grow in The Gambia. According to DataReportal, the country recorded 3.19 million mobile subscriptions at the end of 2025, exceeding the population size due to many users owning multiple SIM cards. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), however, estimated mobile penetration at 65.4 percent in 2024 based on a population of around 2.82 million.
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Authorities said the new numbering plan is not only designed for traditional voice services but also to support the wider digital economy, including mobile financial services, e-commerce platforms and online applications.
Growing adoption of the Internet of Things (IoT) is also increasing pressure on numbering resources, with more connected devices requiring unique identifiers and, in some cases, dedicated mobile numbers.
These include smartwatches, smart meters, logistics tracking systems, connected agricultural equipment and security monitoring devices.
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PURA said the awareness campaign will provide guidance to consumers, businesses and service providers on how to update contacts and adjust systems ahead of the full implementation of the new numbering structure.
The reform is expected to provide The Gambia’s telecommunications sector with enough capacity to accommodate future growth as digital services and connected technologies become increasingly integrated into everyday life.
