International Calling
Reach landlines and mobiles across Nouakchott, Nouadhibou, and all of Mauritania with transparent per-minute pricing. No hidden fees, no app to download.
Mauritania
Country code +222
$1.84
Landline
$2.12
Mobile
~60%
vs retail*
Average call quality
*Illustrative savings vs 2.5× directory rate — not a carrier quote.
Simple steps
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220
min / month
~$90.16/min
~$68.08/min
~$40.48/min
~$9.20/min
$1.840/min
Annual saving vs. AT&T
Based on 220 min/month
GETTING STARTED
Calling Mauritania doesn't require any special hardware or app installs. Open your browser, enter the number, and connect in seconds.
Instant access
Visit Sayfone from any modern web browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge — on your phone, tablet, or computer. No app install needed.
Dialer
+00 000 000 00
Type the full number starting with +222 followed by the 8-digit local number. Choose whether you're calling a mobile or landline.
HD audio from your browser
Hit call and you're connected over high-quality phone lines. You'll see the per-minute rate before the call starts — no surprises.
UNDERSTANDING COSTS
International calls to Mauritania carry premium rates for several structural reasons related to the country's telecom infrastructure and geography. Here's what drives the cost.
Mauritania's fixed-line sector remains highly underdeveloped, with Mauritel maintaining a virtual monopoly. Very low penetration means international calls terminate through constrained infrastructure, keeping termination fees high.
Mauritania spans over 1 million square kilometres of mostly Saharan desert with a population of only about 4.8 million. Deploying and maintaining telecom infrastructure across this vast, sparsely populated terrain is extremely costly, and those costs are passed through to international termination rates.
Mauritania imposes an 18% VAT on telephony services plus import duties of 5–20% on telecom equipment. These taxes inflate both operational costs for carriers and the end-user price of international call termination.
Only three mobile operators serve the entire country — Mauritel, Mattel, and Chinguitel. Limited competition means there is less downward pressure on interconnect and termination rates that international carriers must pay.
Sources
Supports claims about limited infrastructure and operator landscape
Supports claims about fixed-line monopoly and low broadband penetration
Supports claims about infrastructure investment and geographic challenges
CALLING OPTIONS
There are several ways to reach someone in Mauritania from abroad, each with its own trade-offs in cost, quality, and reliability.
Traditional Carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile)
Major US carriers charge steep per-minute rates for calls to Mauritania, often exceeding $3–5/minute. Reliable call quality but prohibitively expensive for regular callers.
International Calling Cards
Prepaid calling cards have historically been popular for calling West Africa, but they often have hidden connection fees, maintenance charges, and variable call quality.
WhatsApp / Viber Voice Calls
Free app-to-app calls work when both parties have reliable internet, but Mauritania's mobile data quality is inconsistent outside major cities, making calls unreliable.
Browser-Based VoIP (Sayfone)
Calls connect over real phone lines to any Mauritanian number — mobile or landline — without requiring the recipient to have internet access or an app. Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Bar lengths reflect relative cost tiers for each option — not survey percentages.
APP LIMITATIONS
Free internet-based calling apps seem like the obvious choice, but Mauritania's telecom realities make them unreliable for many calls. Here's why a real phone-line connection is often the better option.
Your call is routed through the actual telephone network in Mauritania, so it reaches any number — mobile or landline — regardless of the recipient's internet quality.
The problem
Mauritania's telecom regulator has repeatedly found service quality deficiencies across dozens of cities and roadways. All three operators — Mauritel, Mattel, and Chinguitel — have been cited for failing to meet voice and data quality standards, making data-dependent calls unpredictable.
WhatsApp and Viber calls require a stable internet connection on both ends. If the person you're calling in Mauritania is on a slow 3G connection or in an area with poor coverage, the call will drop or be inaudible.
Many businesses and government offices in Mauritania still rely on fixed-line phones. App-based calls can't reach these numbers at all — you need a service that connects through the real telephone network.
In parts of Mauritania still dependent on satellite connectivity, latency can reach 500–600ms round-trip, making real-time VoIP conversations difficult to sustain.
Sources
Supports claims about service quality failures across the country
Supports claims about ongoing quality of service issues
CALLING TIPS
Get the most from your calls to Mauritania with these practical tips on timing, etiquette, and cultural norms.
Mauritania Time Zone
GMT (UTC+0)
No daylight saving time
Time Difference from US East Coast
+4 to +5 hours ahead
Depends on US daylight saving
Time Difference from US West Coast
+7 to +8 hours ahead
Depends on US daylight saving
Mauritania's Workweek Is Sunday to Thursday
The standard business week in Mauritania runs from Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday as the weekend. Schedule business calls accordingly.
Greet in Arabic or Hassaniya
A simple 'As-salamu alaykum' (peace be upon you) is the most common greeting. It's appreciated and sets a warm tone for the conversation.
Be Mindful of Ramadan Hours
During Ramadan, business hours may be shortened and people often eat and socialize late into the night. Late afternoon or post-iftar evening calls are usually better received.
Expect Slower Pacing in Conversation
Mauritanian communication style tends to be warm and unhurried. Don't rush through pleasantries — taking time for greetings and inquiries about family is culturally important.
Hierarchy Matters
In Mauritanian business culture, seniority and hierarchy are respected. When calling a business, ask to be connected to the appropriate decision-maker and address them formally.
French and Arabic Are Both Used
While Arabic (particularly Hassaniya dialect) is the primary language, French is widely used in business, government, and formal settings. Many professionals in Nouakchott are bilingual.
Follow Up Calls with Written Confirmation
After important business calls, it's good practice to send a follow-up message or email summarizing what was discussed, as verbal agreements are valued but documentation adds clarity.
Sources
Mauritania time zone confirmation (GMT/UTC+0)
POPULAR DESTINATIONS
Whether you're reaching family in Nouakchott or connecting with business contacts in Nouadhibou, here are the most-called destinations in Mauritania.
Nouakchott
Home to roughly a third of Mauritania's population, Nouakchott is the political, economic, and communications hub of the country. Most international calls to Mauritania are destined here.
Best time to call: Evenings 7–10 PM GMT for personal calls; 9 AM–4 PM GMT Sunday–Thursday for business
Photo brief: Nouakchott city Mauritania Unsplash
Nouadhibou
Nouadhibou is Mauritania's second-largest city and its primary commercial and fishing port. Many international business calls target companies based here.
Best time to call: 9 AM–3 PM GMT for business; evenings for personal calls
Photo brief: Nouadhibou port Mauritania Pexels
Kaédi
Kaédi is an important regional capital in southern Mauritania, near the Senegal border. It serves as a key centre for the Halpulaar community and is common for family calls.
Best time to call: Evenings 7–9 PM GMT
Photo brief: Kaedi Mauritania river town Pexels
Kiffa
Kiffa is a major inland town and a stopping point along the Route de l'Espoir. It's an important market town where many diaspora families maintain connections.
Best time to call: Evenings 7–9 PM GMT
Photo brief: Kiffa Mauritania desert town Unsplash
Atar
Atar is the regional capital of the Adrar Region and a gateway to Mauritania's ancient Saharan heritage sites. A popular destination for cultural and tourism-related calls.
Best time to call: Mornings 9 AM–12 PM GMT or evenings
Photo brief: Atar Mauritania Adrar desert Unsplash
DIALING GUIDE
Mauritania uses country code +222 and an 8-digit closed numbering plan with no trunk prefix. Here's everything you need to dial correctly.
+222 XXXX XXXX
+222 XXXX XXXX
| City / region | Code |
|---|---|
| Nouakchott | 45 |
| Nouadhibou | 45/46 |
| Mobile — Chinguitel | 20–29 |
| Mobile — Mattel | 30–39 |
| Mobile — Mauritel | 40–49 |
| Fixed-line services | 250, 258 |
Sources
8-digit numbering plan since 2011
Official ITU notification of 8-digit plan
COMMON QUESTIONS
Answers to the most common questions people have when calling Mauritania from abroad, including rates, dialing instructions, and practical tips.
Still have questions about calling Mauritania? Our support team is here to help.
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