PURA Announces Transition to Nine-Digit Phone Numbers From September 4 to Expand National Numbering Capacity

By Seedy Jobe

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has announced that The Gambia will migrate from seven-digit to nine-digit telephone numbers beginning September 4, 2026, marking one of the country’s most significant telecommunications reforms aimed at supporting future digital growth.

The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press conference at PURA’s headquarters in Kanifing, attended by the authority’s senior management, representatives of mobile network operators, and members of the media.

Addressing the gathering, PURA Director General Dr. Njogou L. Bah described the transition as a strategic national reform necessitated by the country’s growing telecommunications demands.

He said the existing seven-digit numbering system, which can accommodate a maximum of 10 million unique numbers, is no longer sufficient as mobile subscriptions, machine-to-machine communication, digital services, and emerging technologies continue to expand.

“This is a foundational reform that will shape how Gambians communicate for decades,” Dr. Bah said, describing the migration as both historic and essential for the country’s digital future.

According to him, the decision followed extensive technical consultations with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and telecommunications regulators within the ECOWAS region. The new nine-digit numbering plan will increase The Gambia’s national numbering capacity from 10 million to one billion numbers, providing sufficient capacity for long-term growth.

“A seven-digit system provides a finite ceiling of ten million unique numbers. For a country with our growth trajectory and our ambitions for digital transformation, that ceiling is not merely approaching—it is already a constraint,” he said.

Dr. Bah assured the public that the migration would not require subscribers to replace their existing phone numbers or mobile services. Instead, every current seven-digit number will remain valid but will receive an additional two-digit prefix.

He explained that subscribers will retain their SIM cards, mobile phones, service providers, and airtime balances.

“Your phone number does not disappear. Your SIM card does not change. Your handset does not change. What changes is that when someone saves your number or dials you, they will use nine digits instead of seven,” he explained.

PURA has adopted a phased implementation strategy to ensure a smooth transition.

Beginning on September 4, 2026, both the existing seven-digit numbers and the new nine-digit numbers will operate simultaneously during a transition period. The dual-numbering system will remain in place until November 30, 2026.

From December 1, 2026, only nine-digit telephone numbers will be recognized, while calls and text messages using the old seven-digit format will no longer be processed.

Dr. Bah thanked the Government of The Gambia and the country’s three licensed mobile network operators—Africell, QCell, and Comium—for their collaboration in implementing the migration.

He called on individuals, businesses, schools, hospitals, government institutions, and Gambians living abroad to begin updating their contact information well before the transition deadline.

To support the nationwide migration, PURA is launching what it describes as the largest public awareness campaign ever undertaken in the country’s telecommunications sector.

Dr. Bah said the campaign, which officially begins with the press conference, will run for five months and utilize multiple communication platforms to educate the public about the changes.

He appealed to journalists to play a critical role in ensuring accurate public understanding of the migration process and encouraged consumers seeking additional information to visit PURA’s official website or contact the authority’s hotline.

The Director General also stressed that the migration is backed by law and will be fully implemented across the telecommunications sector.

He noted that the National Numbering Plan is a sovereign national resource administered by PURA on behalf of the Government and the people of The Gambia, adding that the new numbering plan has already been formally gazetted. He further stated that all licensed operators are legally required to comply with the new system and adequately inform their subscribers.

Addressing the wider public, Dr. Bah described the migration as a reform designed to benefit all Gambians and appealed for patience and cooperation throughout the implementation period.

He also urged businesses to begin preparations immediately rather than waiting until the migration commences.

“Contact us early. Do not wait until September,” he advised.

Dr. Bah further emphasized that modern telecommunications infrastructure is central to national development.

“A modern numbering system is a pillar of national development, economic activity, social cohesion, and sovereign identity,” he said.

PURA officials said the authority has developed an extensive nationwide communication strategy to ensure every consumer understands the migration process.

Director of Consumer Affairs Jamilatou Saidy said the awareness campaign will utilize television, radio, social media platforms, including Facebook, and other communication channels to reach consumers across the country.

She said public education materials will be produced in Mandinka, Wolof, Jola, and Sarahule to ensure the information is accessible to communities nationwide.

Ms. Saidy added that PURA is also partnering with social media influencers to broaden public outreach, noting that their platforms provide trusted channels for communicating with large audiences.

The authority reiterated that public cooperation will be critical to the success of the migration and urged all subscribers to use the coming months to update their contacts and remain informed through official communication channels to ensure uninterrupted connectivity after the transition deadline.