South Sudan Phone Numbers: Format, Area Code & Validation Guide

Introduction

Target Audience: Software developers, technical architects, and integration engineers implementing phone number handling for South Sudan. Reading time: ~12 minutes. Prerequisites: Basic understanding of regular expressions, REST APIs, and international phone number formats (E.164 standard).

Building an application that interacts with users in South Sudan requires understanding their phone number system. This comprehensive guide covers South Sudan phone number formats, validation techniques using regex patterns, and implementation best practices. You'll learn to handle South Sudanese phone numbers accurately in your applications while ensuring E.164 compliance.

Understanding South Sudan's +211 Country Code

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 and received the country code +211 from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The significance of this code resonates with South Sudan's citizens as it represents the year of independence (2011) and the date of its referendum (January 1, 2011).

Regulatory Context

The National Communication Authority (NCA), established under the National Communications Act of 2012, regulates telecommunications systems and services. The NCA ensures adherence to international standards like the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, promotes competition, and fosters reliable communication services.

Key Regulatory Framework (as of January 2025):

• National Communications Licensing Regulations, 2016
• National Communications Standards, Specifications, and Type Approval Regulations, 2016
• National Communications Frequency Regulations, 2016

Source: National Communication Authority (NCA), https://nca.gov.ss/

Compliance Requirements for Businesses

Operate telecommunications services in South Sudan by obtaining licensing through the National Communication Authority. Key requirements include:

• Service Provider Licensing: Telecommunications operators must obtain licenses under the National Communications Licensing Regulations, 2016
• Registration Requirements: Valid identification documents, business plans, proof of technical capability, and payment of applicable fees
• Ongoing Compliance: Licensees must adhere to quality service standards, provide transparent subscriber information, and maintain environmental and operational standards
• Penalties: Operating without a valid license may result in fines up to USD 500,000, imprisonment for up to three years, or both

Source: National Communication Authority Licensing Requirements, National Communications Licensing Regulations 2016

Data Protection & Privacy Regulations

South Sudan currently has no comprehensive data protection legislation as of January 2025. Key considerations for developers:

• Constitutional Protection: Article 22 of the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan 2011 guarantees the right to privacy
• Cybercrime Order Data Retention: Section 6 of the Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Provisional Order 2021 requires service providers to store communications data, including personal data and traffic data of subscribers, for 180 days
• No Data Protection Authority: No formally established independent data protection authority exists
• International Commitments: South Sudan has ratified the ICCPR (Article 17) and African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Article 5), which provide for privacy rights
• Pending Legislation: A dedicated data protection bill has been drafted and is expected to pass into law, though timing remains uncertain

Sources: Data Protection Africa - South Sudan Fact Sheet, Law Gratis - Cyber Law at South Sudan (April 2025)

Developer Implications: Implement privacy best practices voluntarily: secure storage, encryption, and clear user consent mechanisms for phone number data collection and processing. GDPR compliance is required when targeting EU users regardless of local law. Store only necessary data, implement data retention policies, and provide users with access and deletion rights.

Infrastructure Context

South Sudan faces infrastructure challenges common to developing nations. Mobile penetration has grown significantly since independence, but reliable internet and broadband services remain limited in rural areas. These conditions affect the reliability of phone number-based services like SMS verification.

Recent Regulatory Development: In 2024, the NCA granted Starlink (SpaceX) a Satellite Landing Rights License and Provisional Service License, expanding internet connectivity options for South Sudan.

Source: NCA regulatory announcements, 2024

South Sudan Phone Number Format Structure

South Sudan follows the ITU-T E.164 international standard for telephone numbering, ensuring global interoperability and simplified integration with international systems.

Understanding the Structure

South Sudanese phone numbers consist of three key parts:

1. Country Code: Always +211. This code identifies South Sudan in the global phone number system. (ITU assigned: July 14, 2011; implemented: October 1, 2011)
2. Service Identifier: Distinguishes between service types: geographic (landline), mobile, or special services. The first digit is 1 for fixed services or 9 for GSM mobile services.
3. Subscriber Number: Unique identifier for each user within the service type (always 7 digits).

Complete Format: +211 T P XXX XXXX (12 digits including country code)

• T = Service Type Identifier (1 for fixed line, 9 for mobile GSM)
• P = Service Provider Identifier
• XXX XXXX = 7-digit Subscriber Number

Source: ITU Operational Bulletin No. 1001 (17.VI.2021), Communication from NCA

Geographic (Landline) Numbers

Landline numbers in South Sudan follow a specific format:

Format: 1[2678]-XXXXXXX
│   │   └─ 7-digit subscriber number
│   └───── Provider identifier (2, 6, 7, or 8)
└───────── Fixed service prefix (1)

Active Fixed-Line Operators (as of January 2025):

Examples:

• Local format: 18 1234567
• International format: +211 18 1234567

Source: ITU Operational Bulletin No. 983 (28.IV.2012)

When to Use: Design for mobile-first in South Sudan. Landline numbers are rarely used for consumer applications due to limited infrastructure. Accept landline numbers for completeness, but expect 95%+ of users to provide mobile numbers.

Mobile Numbers: MTN, Zain, and Other Operators

Mobile numbers are the most common phone number type in South Sudan:

Format: 9[12578]-XXXXXXX
│   │   └─ 7-digit subscriber number
│   └───── Network identifier (1, 2, 5, 7, or 8)
└───────── Mobile prefix (9)

Active Mobile Operators (as of January 2025):

MCC/MNC Explanation:

• MCC (Mobile Country Code): 659 for South Sudan (E.212 standard)
• MNC (Mobile Network Code): Unique identifier for each operator
• E.164 CC (Country Code): +211
• Q.708 SANC: 6-173 (Signalling Area Network Code)

Sources: ITU Operational Bulletin No. 1001 (17.VI.2021) & No. 983 (28.IV.2012); GSMA - MTN South Sudan (2022 market share data); Mordor Intelligence - South Sudan Telecom Market (2024)

Examples:

• Local format: 91 2345678
• International format: +211 91 2345678

Operator Coverage Notes:

• MTN South Sudan leads with widest network coverage across 10 states, strongest in urban areas (Juba, Wau, Malakal)
• Zain South Sudan has strong presence in major cities with focus on enterprise and fintech services
• Digitel offers first-mover brand recognition in remote counties, legacy 2G still active
• Rural coverage is limited across all operators; power-grid deficits affect reliability

Track operator prefixes and their corresponding networks for analytics and routing purposes. The mobile landscape changes as new operators emerge and existing ones merge. Check the NCA website regularly for updates.

Special Service Numbers

Special service numbers for emergency services or operator assistance follow a simplified three-digit format:

Format: 1XX
└────── 3-digit service code

Common Codes:

• 112: Emergency Services (international standard)
• 100: Operator Assistance
• 999: Police Emergency

Toll-Free and Premium Numbers:

South Sudan has toll-free number capability, though adoption is limited. MTN South Sudan offers toll-free voice services for businesses, allowing customers to call companies free of charge. Premium-rate and special service numbers beyond emergency codes are not widely implemented due to limited infrastructure.

Sources: Connect-EZ - Toll-Free Numbers in South Sudan (July 2023); MTN South Sudan - Toll Free Voice Service

Note on Emergency Service Reliability: Emergency services via 112 and 999 have variable availability depending on location. Urban areas have better emergency response infrastructure. Advise users to maintain alternative emergency contacts.

Exclude special service numbers from validation rules in most application development scenarios.

Phone Number Validation: Regex Patterns & Code Examples

Validation Strategies with Regex

Validate user-provided phone numbers to ensure data integrity and prevent errors. Use regular expressions to validate South Sudanese phone numbers:

// Regular expression for South Sudan mobile and landline numbers
// Mobile: 91, 92, 95, 97, 98 (verified ITU prefixes as of 2021)
// Landline: 12, 16, 17, 18 (fixed-line prefixes)
const ssNumberRegex = /^(?:\+?211|0)?(?:(1[2678])|(9[12578]))[0-9]{7}$/;

// Validation function
function validateSouthSudanNumber(phoneNumber) {
  const cleaned = phoneNumber.replace(/[\s\-]/g, ''); // Remove spaces and hyphens
  return ssNumberRegex.test(cleaned);
}

// Example usage
console.log(validateSouthSudanNumber('+211912345678')); // true (Zain)
console.log(validateSouthSudanNumber('0181234567')); // true (Sudani fixed)
console.log(validateSouthSudanNumber('+211982345678')); // true (Digitel)
console.log(validateSouthSudanNumber('1234567890')); // false

Handling Non-Operational Prefixes: Accept prefixes 16 and 17 (Vivacel and Gemtel fixed-line) even though they're currently non-operational, as these numbers may have been issued historically and users might still reference them. For SMS/voice services, implement additional runtime checks to warn users that delivery to these prefixes may fail.

Edge Cases to Handle:

• Numbers with varying whitespace: +211 91 234 5678, +211-91-2345678
• Leading zeros in national format: 091 2345678
• Missing country code: 912345678
• Invalid lengths: +211 91 234 (too short), +211 91 2345678901 (too long)
• Special service numbers: Exclude 1XX patterns from user phone number fields
• International format variations: 00211912345678 (using 00 instead of +)

This regex handles both mobile (91, 92, 95, 97, 98) and landline (12, 16, 17, 18) formats based on verified ITU documentation. Test your validation logic thoroughly with various valid and invalid inputs, including edge cases.

Source: ITU Operational Bulletins No. 1001 & 983, verified operator prefixes

How to Convert to E.164 Format

Normalize phone numbers to E.164 format to simplify data storage and processing:

function normalizeSouthSudanNumber(phoneNumber) {
  // Remove all non-digit characters except leading +
  let cleaned = phoneNumber.replace(/[^\d+]/g, '');

  // Handle international prefix variations
  if (cleaned.startsWith('00211')) {
    cleaned = '+' + cleaned.substring(2);
  } else if (cleaned.startsWith('211')) {
    cleaned = '+' + cleaned;
  } else if (cleaned.startsWith('0')) {
    // National format with leading zero
    cleaned = '+211' + cleaned.substring(1);
  } else if (cleaned.startsWith('+211')) {
    // Already in correct format
    cleaned = cleaned;
  } else if (/^[19]\d{8}$/.test(cleaned)) {
    // Local format without country code
    cleaned = '+211' + cleaned;
  } else {
    throw new Error('Invalid South Sudan phone number format');
  }

  // Validate final format
  if (!/^\+211[19]\d{8}$/.test(cleaned)) {
    throw new Error('Invalid South Sudan phone number after normalization');
  }

  return cleaned;
}

// Example usage with error handling
try {
  console.log(normalizeSouthSudanNumber('0912345678')); // +211912345678
  console.log(normalizeSouthSudanNumber('211 18 1234567')); // +211181234567
  console.log(normalizeSouthSudanNumber('+211-98-2345678')); // +211982345678
  console.log(normalizeSouthSudanNumber('00211922345678')); // +211922345678
} catch (error) {
  console.error('Normalization failed:', error.message);
}

This function includes error handling for invalid inputs and validates the final normalized format. For bulk processing (>10,000 numbers), implement batch validation with parallelization and caching of validation results to improve performance.

Common Implementation Challenges and Best Practices

Common challenges and solutions:

• Leading Zeros: Handle both national (0) and international (+211) formats. The normalization function addresses this.
• Space/Hyphen Handling: Account for various separator characters. Remove non-digit characters during validation and normalization.
• Length Validation: Ensure correct digit count after the country code (9 for mobile and landline). The regex enforces this.
• Prefix Validation: Verify against known operator prefixes (91, 92, 95, 97, 98 for mobile; 12, 16, 17, 18 for fixed-line) for specific use cases.

International Dialing Edge Cases:

• Users in neighboring countries (Sudan +249, Uganda +256, Kenya +254) may accidentally select wrong country code
• Implement country code detection and confirmation prompts for ambiguous inputs
• Accept both + prefix and 00 international prefix (common in some regions)
• Validate that number length matches South Sudan format after country code extraction

Troubleshooting Common Validation Failures:

1. "Number too short" errors: Check if country code was accidentally included in subscriber number field
2. "Invalid prefix" errors: Verify against current ITU allocations; user may have outdated number
3. "Format not recognized" errors: User may be entering satellite phone numbers (Thuraya, Iridium) which use different formats
4. Silent validation failures: Ensure regex handles both +211 and 0211 formats

Best Practice: Consult the NCA website (https://nca.gov.ss/) and ITU Operational Bulletins regularly for updates to number allocation policies and new operator prefixes. Use dedicated phone number validation libraries or services like Google's libphonenumber, Twilio Lookup API, or Numverify for robust, up-to-date validation.

Note: The mobile operator prefixes and MCC/MNC codes in this guide are based on ITU Operational Bulletins published in 2012 and 2021. Always verify with the NCA for the most current information.

Additional Considerations for Developers

Stay informed about changes and best practices as South Sudan's telecommunications sector evolves. The ITU-T E.164 recommendation is updated regularly. Monitor these changes to ensure your application remains compatible with international standards. Consider the impact of limited internet access in South Sudan when implementing features that rely on real-time communication or data transfer.

Emerging Technologies: The 2024 licensing of Starlink satellite services may improve connectivity in rural areas, potentially affecting SMS delivery reliability and internet-based communication services.

Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

As of January 2025, mobile number portability is not implemented in South Sudan. Users cannot switch between operators (MTN, Zain, Vivacel, Gemtel, Digitel) while keeping their phone number. This means:

• Operator identification by prefix is reliable: The prefix (91, 92, 95, 97, 98) definitively identifies the current operator
• No MNP database lookups required: Unlike markets with MNP, route SMS/voice based solely on the prefix
• Future planning: MNP is a common regulatory requirement in maturing telecom markets. Monitor NCA announcements for potential future implementation

If MNP is introduced, you'll need to integrate with an MNP lookup service to determine the current operator rather than relying on prefix alone.

Source: ITU DataHub indicates South Sudan has not implemented MNP as of 2024; NCA regulatory framework does not currently mandate MNP

Number Recycling Policies

Mobile operators in South Sudan recycle inactive phone numbers. Key policies:

MTN South Sudan Number Recycling:

• Dormancy Period: Numbers inactive for 90 days (no transactions) may be recycled and reassigned to new customers
• Account Dormancy: Accounts with no transactions for 12 consecutive months receive one-month notice before suspension
• Final Closure: Suspended accounts not reactivated within 6 months are closed and numbers returned to pool

Source: MTN Customer Terms & Conditions – South Sudan, Section 6.5

Security Implications for Developers:

• Account Takeover Risk: Recycled numbers can lead to unauthorized access if your app uses phone number as primary identifier
• Verification Code Exposure: New owner of recycled number may receive SMS codes intended for previous owner
• Mitigation Strategies:
  • Implement secondary authentication factors (email, security questions, biometrics)
  • Add "last login date" checks and prompt re-verification after extended inactivity
  • Monitor for sudden location/device changes associated with a number
  • Provide clear account recovery processes that don't rely solely on SMS

SMS and Voice Service Costs

Optimize your communication strategy by understanding costs:

SMS Pricing (Outbound, International Providers):

Source: Sent.dm - South Sudan SMS Pricing Guide (2025)

Cost Optimization Strategies:

• Negotiate volume discounts: All providers offer tiered pricing for high-volume senders
• Monitor delivery rates: Track success rates by operator to identify issues
• Use hybrid approach: Consider local operator SMS bundles for internal testing
• Implement fallback channels: Use voice calls or OTT messaging (WhatsApp Business API) for critical notifications if SMS fails
• Batch non-urgent messages: Reduce costs by grouping time-insensitive notifications

Delivery Considerations:

• Urban vs. Rural: Expect 90%+ delivery rates in Juba, Wau, Malakal; 60-80% in remote areas
• Network Reliability: MTN and Zain offer best delivery rates; Digitel improving with 4G expansion
• International Routing: Complex cross-border routing through Kenya/Ethiopia fiber links affects latency
• Peak Times: Network congestion may delay delivery during business hours (8 AM – 5 PM local time)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the country code for South Sudan phone numbers?

The country code for South Sudan is +211, assigned by the ITU on July 14, 2011, and implemented on October 1, 2011. When dialing internationally, prefix South Sudanese numbers with +211. For example, a Zain mobile number becomes +211 91 2345678 in international format.

How can I identify which mobile operator a South Sudan number belongs to?

Identify the mobile operator by examining the first two digits after the country code (+211). The operator prefixes are: 91 (Zain South Sudan), 92 (MTN South Sudan), 95 (Vivacel/NOW), 97 (Gemtel Green Network), and 98 (Digitel Holdings). For example, +211 92 XXX XXXX is an MTN number.

What's the correct regex pattern to validate South Sudan phone numbers?

Use this regex pattern: /^(?:\+?211|0)?(?:(1[2678])|(9[12578]))[0-9]{7}$/. This pattern validates both mobile numbers (prefixes 91, 92, 95, 97, 98) and landline numbers (prefixes 12, 16, 17, 18) in local or international format. Test with actual numbers from all five mobile operators to ensure accuracy.

How do I convert South Sudan phone numbers to E.164 format?

Remove all non-digit characters, strip leading zeros, prepend the country code 211 if missing, and add a plus sign (+). For example, "0 91 234 5678" becomes "+211912345678". The complete format is +211 followed by 9 digits (T P XXX XXXX where T=service type, P=provider, XXX XXXX=subscriber number).

What's the difference between South Sudan (+211) and Sudan (+249) phone numbers?

South Sudan uses country code +211 (assigned 2011) while Sudan uses +249. South Sudan mobile numbers follow the 9[12578] prefix pattern with operators Zain (91), MTN (92), Vivacel (95), Gemtel (97), and Digitel (98). Sudan has different operator prefixes and numbering structures. Verify the country code to avoid misrouting calls or SMS messages.

How do I dial a South Sudan mobile number from the United States?

From the US, dial 011 (US exit code) + 211 (South Sudan country code) + operator prefix (91-98) + 7-digit number. For example, to call a Zain number 912345678, dial 011-211-912345678. From mobile phones, dial +211 912345678 directly, as the plus sign automatically substitutes the exit code.

Are landline numbers still operational in South Sudan?

Only Sudani landline services remain operational with prefixes 12 (CDMA) and 18 (Fixed). Vivacel (16) and Gemtel (17) fixed-line services are listed as "Not Operational" in ITU documentation as of 2021. Mobile networks (Zain, MTN, Vivacel, Gemtel, Digitel) dominate telecommunications in South Sudan due to limited landline infrastructure.

What is the MCC and MNC for South Sudan mobile operators?

The Mobile Country Code (MCC) for South Sudan is 659 under the E.212 standard. Mobile Network Codes (MNC) are: 06 (Zain), 02 (MTN), 04 (Vivacel), 03 (Gemtel), and 08 (Digitel). These codes identify networks in GSM/LTE systems and mobile number portability tracking.

Can I send SMS messages reliably to South Sudan numbers?

SMS reliability in South Sudan varies by operator and region. Urban areas (Juba, Wau, Malakal) with MTN, Zain, and Digitel coverage generally achieve 90%+ delivery rates. Rural areas face infrastructure challenges (limited power grid, sparse tower coverage) that may reduce success rates to 60-80% and increase delivery latency. The 2024 Starlink licensing may gradually improve connectivity. Implement delivery receipts (DLR), retry logic for failed messages, and consider fallback channels (voice calls, OTT messaging) for critical notifications.

Source: Mordor Intelligence - South Sudan Telecom Market (2024)

How do I test South Sudan phone number validation without calling real numbers?

Use format validation with regex patterns and test data with valid/invalid prefixes. Create test cases for all five mobile operators (91, 92, 95, 97, 98) and landline prefixes (12, 18). Use phone number validation libraries like Google's libphonenumber or Twilio Lookup API for comprehensive testing. The NCA (nca.gov.ss) may provide test numbers or sandbox environments for developers, though availability should be confirmed directly with the authority.

Does South Sudan support mobile number portability?

No, mobile number portability (MNP) is not currently implemented in South Sudan as of January 2025. Users cannot switch operators while keeping their number. The prefix (91, 92, 95, 97, 98) reliably identifies the current operator without needing MNP database lookups. Monitor NCA announcements for potential future MNP implementation.

What happens to inactive phone numbers in South Sudan?

Mobile operators recycle inactive numbers. MTN South Sudan recycles numbers dormant for 90+ days without transactions. Accounts with no activity for 12 months receive suspension warnings, then close after 6 months if not reactivated. Mitigate security risks from recycled numbers by implementing multi-factor authentication, monitoring for suspicious activity after long inactivity periods, and avoiding sole reliance on SMS for account recovery.

Source: MTN Customer Terms & Conditions, Section 6.5

How much does it cost to send SMS to South Sudan?

International SMS providers charge $0.0967–$0.2399 per message (Infobip lowest, Twilio highest). All providers offer volume discounts for high-volume senders. Delivery rates are best in urban areas (90%+) but lower in rural regions (60-80%) due to infrastructure limitations. For cost optimization, negotiate volume discounts, monitor delivery rates by operator, and consider hybrid approaches using local operator bundles for testing.

Source: Sent.dm - South Sudan SMS Pricing (2025)

Conclusion

You now understand South Sudan's phone number system and how to implement it in your applications. Follow these guidelines and best practices to ensure accurate data handling, seamless communication, and positive user experience. Stay updated on the latest regulations and best practices from the NCA and the ITU.

Quick Reference:

• Country Code: +211
• Mobile Prefixes: 91 (Zain), 92 (MTN), 95 (Vivacel), 97 (Gemtel), 98 (Digitel)
• Fixed-Line Prefixes: 12, 18 (Sudani active), 16, 17 (not operational)
• Format: +211 T P XXX XXXX (12 digits total)
• MCC: 659 (E.212)
• Emergency Services: 112, 999, 100
• MNP Status: Not implemented
• Number Recycling: 90 days dormancy (MTN)

Last Updated: January 5, 2025 Primary Sources: ITU Operational Bulletins No. 1001 (17.VI.2021) & No. 983 (28.IV.2012); NCA regulations; MTN Terms & Conditions; Mordor Intelligence Telecom Market Report 2024