Zimbabwe Mobile Number Prefixes: 077, 078, 071 & More by Network

Zimbabwe mobile number prefixes: which network is 077, 078 or 071?

The first three digits of a Zimbabwean mobile number tell you the network. Here is the list, how to write numbers in international format, and how to clean a contact list before you send SMS.

Econet 077 · 078 · 079 NetOne 071 · 072 Telecel 073 Country code +263

Zimbabwe mobile prefixes at a glance

Zimbabwean mobile numbers have 10 digits when written locally (07X XXX XXXX) and 12 digits in international format (263 7X XXX XXXX). The prefix is the 07X part.

Prefix	Network	International format	Bulk SMS with SMSPoP
077	Econet Wireless	+263 77X XXX XXX	Supported
078	Econet Wireless	+263 78X XXX XXX	Supported
079	Econet Wireless	+263 79X XXX XXX	Supported
071	NetOne	+263 71X XXX XXX	Supported
072	NetOne	+263 72X XXX XXX	Supported
073	Telecel Zimbabwe	+263 73X XXX XXX	Not currently supported

Econet and NetOne together carry the large majority of Zimbabwe's mobile subscribers, so one SMSPoP campaign reaches most of a typical customer list.

How to write a Zimbabwe number in international format

Drop the leading 0 and put the country code 263 in front. The same number can be written in three common ways:

Format	Example	Where you see it
Local	0771 234 567	Business cards, forms, spoken aloud
International	+263 771 234 567	WhatsApp, calls from abroad
E.164 / API	263771234567	Spreadsheets, CRMs, SMS APIs

You don't need to convert numbers for SMSPoP: 0771234567, 263771234567 and +263771234567 are all normalised automatically. When you paste a list, put one number per line (or separate them with commas), with no spaces inside a number.

Checking a number list before a campaign

Count the digits. A valid mobile number has 10 digits starting with 07, or 12 starting with 2637. Anything shorter is usually a typo.
Watch for landlines. Numbers such as 024… (Harare) or 029… (Bulawayo) are fixed lines and cannot receive SMS.
Check the prefix. Use the table above to see which network each contact is on. Telecel (073) numbers are skipped, and you are not charged for them.
Remove duplicates. The same customer saved as 0771… and +263771… is one person. Remove duplicates before you send, so they get one message and you pay once.
Excel tip: format the phone column as Text before typing, or Excel will drop the leading 0 and may show long numbers as 2.64E+11.

Can I tell the network from the prefix for certain?

The prefix tells you which network originally issued the number, and in practice that is how SMS is routed in Zimbabwe. If a contact's messages keep failing, check the number with them. A wrong digit is far more common than a wrong network.

Prefix questions people ask

Which network is 077 in Zimbabwe?

077 numbers belong to Econet Wireless, Zimbabwe's largest mobile network. 078 and 079 are also Econet prefixes.

Which network is 078 in Zimbabwe?

078 is an Econet Wireless prefix, like 077 and 079.

Which network is 071 in Zimbabwe?

071 numbers belong to NetOne, the state-owned mobile operator. 072 is also a NetOne prefix.

Which network is 073 in Zimbabwe?

073 numbers belong to Telecel Zimbabwe. SMSPoP currently delivers to Econet and NetOne numbers only.

What is the country code for Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe's country code is +263. To dial or text a Zimbabwean mobile from abroad, drop the leading 0: 0771 234 567 becomes +263 771 234 567.

How many digits is a Zimbabwe mobile number?

Ten digits in local format (for example 0771234567), or twelve digits including the 263 country code (263771234567).

Can I send one bulk SMS to Econet and NetOne numbers together?

Yes. With SMSPoP you upload one list. Each number is routed to its own network automatically, and the delivery report shows the result for every contact.

Send to Econet and NetOne numbers in one campaign

No setup fees and no monthly subscription. From $0.02 per SMS, paid with EcoCash. Credits are valid for one year.