The Gambia extends mobile number migration deadline to 2027

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has extended the deadline for phasing out The Gambia’s seven-digit mobile numbers to February 28, 2027. The extension, announced by Director General Dr. Njogu Bah, cites the upcoming electoral period and the end-of-year holiday season as primary reasons for allowing the transition to continue. During this period, existing seven-digit numbers will function alongside the new nine-digit format.

Telecommunications provider Africell is preparing to expand its numbering capacity from 2.5 million to 100 million numbers as part of the migration. Africell CEO Hussein Diab noted that the current pool of numbers is becoming inadequate due to rapid mobile usage growth. Under the new system, Africell customers will have the prefix ‘87’ added to their existing numbers. The migration will initially utilize a parallel-run system where both old and new numbers remain active to ensure a smooth transition.

State-owned operator GAMCEL is scheduled to join the migration in a second phase once technical and operational requirements are met. PURA has reserved the ‘89’ prefix specifically for GAMCEL. While the extension provides more time for adjustment, regulators are urging consumers to begin adopting the nine-digit format as soon as possible.