Africa eSIM: your travel data guide
From Marrakech to Cape Town, Dakar to Nairobi: everything you need to stay connected in Africa with an eSIM.
Africa at a glance
Africa spans 30.3 million km² across 54 countries, from Morocco to Cape Town. It is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent: 1.5 billion people, with the fastest growth on the planet.
For an eSIM traveller, Africa splits into five regions: North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt) with mature 4G and some of the cheapest mobile data prices worldwide, West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast) booming, East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda) pioneer of mobile money (M-Pesa), Central Africa, and Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana) with 5G rolled out across major cities.
Africa is the world's fastest-growing mobile market: 4G now covers over 70% of the population per GSMA (2024), and 5G is in active rollout in South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria and Mauritius. The continent is also the global leader in mobile payments.
A few Africa eSIM plans
A selection of multi-country plans to travel anywhere in Africa with a single eSIM.
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300 plans of 300 shown
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Explore African destinations
Per-country destination guides for Africa are coming soon. In the meantime, compare per-country plans via the comparison page.
All countries in the region
Connectivity and networks in Africa
4G/5G: 4G now covers over 70% of Africa's population (GSMA 2024). 5G is commercially deployed in South Africa (Vodacom, MTN, Rain), Kenya (Safaricom), Nigeria (MTN, Airtel), Egypt (Vodafone, Orange), Morocco (Maroc Telecom, Orange) and Mauritius. Elsewhere 4G+ is the norm in major cities.
Average speeds (Ookla Q1 2025): South Africa 40-90 Mbps, Morocco 30-60 Mbps, Egypt 25-60 Mbps, Kenya / Tanzania 25-50 Mbps, Nigeria / Ghana 20-40 Mbps, other sub-Saharan countries 10-30 Mbps.
No continent-wide roaming in Africa (the SADC roaming zone covers 16 Southern + East African countries but is limited to participating operators). For multi-country trips (e.g. Kenya + Tanzania + Uganda on a safari), a regional Africa eSIM (up to 30 countries) is the cheapest route, saving 70-95% vs. classic international roaming.
Mobile money: Africa is the global leader in mobile payments. M-Pesa (Kenya, Tanzania, DRC) is used for everything from taxis to bills. MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, Orange Money and Wave (Senegal, Ivory Coast) are everywhere. A data eSIM lets you tap into these apps without a local bank account.
Restrictions and VPN: most African countries impose no restrictions on Google, WhatsApp, Instagram or X. Notable exceptions: in Egypt, WhatsApp, Skype and FaceTime voice calls are blocked (text messaging works); in Ethiopia and Tanzania, periodic internet shutdowns occur during political events. A VPN can be useful in these contexts.
Sources : Internet Society Pulse · GSMA Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa · Ookla Speedtest Global Index · ITU DataHub: Africa
Countries in the zone
The Africa zone on Datadopt covers every African destination eligible for regional or local eSIMs. Here is how they break down.
North Africa
Mature 4G, some of the cheapest data prices worldwide
West Africa
4G boom, pan-African operators MTN / Orange / Airtel
Central Africa
Uneven 4G coverage, regional operators dominant
East Africa
Mobile-money pioneer (M-Pesa), 4G in every city
Southern Africa
5G deployed in South Africa, 4G everywhere
Local operators by country
Africa eSIM plans ride on national operator networks. Here are the leading operators in the major destinations.
| Pays | Opérateurs principaux |
|---|---|
| 🇲🇦Morocco | Maroc Telecom (IAM), Orange Maroc, Inwi |
| 🇪🇬Egypt | Vodafone Egypt, Orange Egypt, Etisalat Misr, WE |
| 🇹🇳Tunisia | Tunisie Telecom, Ooredoo Tunisia, Orange Tunisia |
| 🇩🇿Algeria | Mobilis (ATM), Djezzy, Ooredoo Algeria |
| 🇳🇬Nigeria | MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Glo Mobile, 9mobile |
| 🇿🇦South Africa | Vodacom, MTN South Africa, Cell C, Telkom Mobile, Rain |
| 🇰🇪Kenya | Safaricom, Airtel Kenya, Telkom Kenya |
| 🇹🇿Tanzania | Vodacom Tanzania, Airtel Tanzania, Tigo, Halotel |
| 🇬🇭Ghana | MTN Ghana, Telecel (ex-Vodafone), AirtelTigo |
| 🇸🇳Senegal | Orange Sonatel, Free Senegal, Expresso |
| 🇨🇮Ivory Coast | Orange CI, MTN CI, Moov Africa |
| 🇪🇹Ethiopia | Ethio Telecom, Safaricom Ethiopia |
| 🇺🇬Uganda | MTN Uganda, Airtel Uganda |
| 🇷🇼Rwanda | MTN Rwanda, Airtel Rwanda |
| 🇲🇬Madagascar | Telma, Orange Madagascar, Airtel Madagascar |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for Africa?
It depends on your itinerary. For a multi-country trip (a Kenya + Tanzania + Uganda safari, or a Southern Africa road trip), a regional Africa eSIM covering up to 30 countries is the most practical and cost-effective. For a stay in a single country like Morocco or South Africa, a local eSIM gives the best price per GB. Our comparison sorts active plans by price so you can choose by volume and duration.
How much does a cheap Africa eSIM cost?
North Africa (Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia) has some of the lowest mobile data prices in the world, and local eSIMs there are very affordable. Regional Africa plans cost a little more per GB but save you buying a SIM in every country. Use the "Price ascending" or "Best price per GB" sort to spot the best value for your destination.
Does one eSIM cover several African countries for a safari?
Yes, that is the ideal use of a regional eSIM. Africa has no unified continent-wide roaming: without a regional eSIM, every border would mean a new local SIM. A multi-country Africa eSIM keeps you connected from Kenya to Tanzania and Uganda on a single plan, saving 70-95% versus classic international roaming. Check that all your countries are in the coverage before buying.
Can you use WhatsApp and FaceTime in Egypt with an eSIM?
WhatsApp text messaging works everywhere, but WhatsApp, Skype and FaceTime voice calls are blocked by local operators in Egypt. An international travel eSIM whose traffic is routed out of the country usually bypasses this block, which is an advantage over a local Egyptian SIM. A VPN can also unblock these services during an occasional shutdown.
Are there Africa eSIMs with unlimited data?
Yes, some providers offer unlimited-data plans, sometimes with a daily high-speed allowance and reduced speed afterwards. Availability varies by country: it is more common in North Africa and South Africa where 4G/5G is mature. Filter the comparison on large volumes to weigh these plans against per-GB offers.
Can an eSIM be used for mobile money (M-Pesa)?
Yes. Mobile-money apps like M-Pesa, Orange Money, MTN Mobile Money or Wave work over any data connection: an eSIM is enough to access them, even without a local bank account. Opening an M-Pesa account, however, often needs a local phone number, separate from your data eSIM. To pay taxis, bills and shops, a data eSIM covers most of a traveller's needs.
How do I activate an Africa eSIM?
After purchase, you receive a QR code to scan in your phone settings (Cellular data: Add eSIM). Install the eSIM at home before departure while keeping your usual SIM active, then turn on the eSIM data on arrival. The connection is immediate as soon as you pick up a local partner network.