+243 country code: Congo - Kinshasa

The +243 code and who uses it

+243 is the country calling code for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, listed on this page as Congo - Kinshasa. The country is also known as DR Congo, and its ISO code is CD. A person from the country is a Congolese. The +243 code belongs to this one country on the page. Calls to a +243 number reach the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Location, languages and currency

DR Congo sits in Africa, in the Middle Africa subregion. Its capital is Kinshasa. The country has five languages: French, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba and Swahili. The currency is the Congolese franc. The country spans two time zones: Africa/Lagos at UTC+01:00 and Africa/Maputo at UTC+02:00. A call to Kinshasa or elsewhere in DR Congo falls within one of these two zones.

Number format and calling over the internet

A DR Congo mobile number in international format looks like this: +243 991 234 567. The +243 replaces the national trunk prefix, and the subscriber number follows. Use the full international format when dialling from outside the country.

You can call or message a +243 number over the internet with a data connection. A voice over IP or messaging app carries the call or message as data, so the cost depends on your data plan or the app's rates rather than on standard international calling charges. This works on a mobile data connection or on Wi-Fi. Check that the app supports calls to DR Congo and that your data connection is stable before you dial.

Slashtel sends prepaid mobile top-ups to DR Congo operators Vodacom, Airtel and Orange. If you want to top up a DR Congo number, choose the operator and enter the number in international format. The top-up adds prepaid credit to the recipient's mobile account with that operator. The recipient can then use the credit for calls, messages or data, depending on the operator's prepaid terms. Keep the number in the +243 991 234 567 format so the top-up reaches the correct account.