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How to buy an Africa SIM card in 2025
Stay connected across Africa with a regional Africa SIM card. Learn where to buy the best SIM cards and consider a digital alternative.
A local Africa SIM card can cost up to $50 for a 30-day plan – a fraction of the fee you face with data roaming in Africa. But which SIMs provide the best coverage across the continent and how does moving from country to country affect your data plans?
This guide will take you through how and where to buy a SIM card for Africa, which are the best local providers, and how much they cost.
We also explore the Holafly eSIM as a travel alternative. Trusted by over 10 million travelers, it’s a go-to alternative for getting unlimited data in 28 African countries with a single eSIM.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Best SIM card for Africa: 5 Top providers
Whether a regional Africa SIM card, a global SIM with coverage across Africa, or local networks active in multiple countries, there are different ways to get your African SIM.
Here are five of the best SIM cards for Africa:
SimOptions
SimOptions is a SIM card marketplace. Currently, the only available SIM card for all of Africa is the Orange Holiday World bundle, which costs $49.90 for 31 days.
It includes 10 GB of data at 4G speeds in over 40 African countries. You’ll also get 50 SMS and 15 minutes worldwide through a French phone number.
SimCorner
SimCorner doesn’t offer a regional SIM card for Africa. Instead, they offer a Global eSIM for $38 that works for 31 days, with data plans ranging from 1 GB to 20 GB depending on which African countries you visit.
Here’s a quick breakdown on how the Global eSIM from SimCorner splits data plans:
- Zone 1: Includes 20 GB of mobile data for 31 days in destinations such as Algeria, Botswana, Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, etc.
- Zone 2: Includes 15 GB of mobile data for 31 days in destinations such as Egypt, Mauritius, and Kenya.
- Zone 3: Includes 10 GB of mobile data for 31 days in destinations such as Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria, etc.
- Zone 4: Includes 5 GB of mobile data for 31 days in destinations such as Lesotho and Mauritania.
- Zone 5: Includes 1 GB of mobile data for 31 days in destinations such as Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, and Togo.
Other African countries not listed here include 50 MB for 31 days with the Global eSIM plan. This plan does not include phone calls or text messages.
MTN
MTN is an African mobile carrier available in Benin, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Nigeria. You can get a SIM card from any available stores or retailers, but you’ll only be able to use it within the country.
MTN SIM cards bought from any of the eligible stores must be activated using a passport and proof of residence.
Pricing will depend on where you get your SIM card, but these can cost as little as ~$0.049 to over $10.
Disclaimer: Prices can be low in USD due to the exchange rates from local currencies in Africa.
Orange
If you want to avoid the hassle of getting your Africa SIM through a marketplace, you can get an Orange Travel SIM for Africa.
This SIM card offers anywhere from 1GB to 20 GB based on where you travel. Texts and calls also range based on your destination.
The price is fixed at $41.99 for 31 days, with a small added delivery fee, ranging from €5.34 to €8.71 (~$6.25 to $10.20). Delivery takes 3 to 13 days after the purchase.
Vodacom
Vodacom is a local option available in seven African countries, namely Egypt, Mozambique, South Africa, Lesotho, Tanzania, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Vodacom also offers service in 47 African countries, but only through enterprise deals and not as SIM cards for travelers.
In Egypt and South Africa, travel-tailored SIM card plans that include data, text, and calls are available at affordable prices. These plans range from ~$0.66 to $10.76 in Egypt, and ~$17.06 to $39.88 in South Africa. Vodacom SIM cards for Africa can be bought upon landing at the airport.
For other countries, you’ll need to visit an eligible store or retailer to buy your SIM card and follow each country’s rules to activate it.
Where to buy a SIM card for Africa?
You have two options to get a SIM card for Africa for your trip:
- Before you travel: Orange, SimCorner, and SimOptions offer delivery services. That way, you can get your SIM before your trip and get mobile internet as soon as you land.
- After you land: With local options like MTN or Vodacom, you’ll have to wait until you land and look for a store in the airport or an eligible retailer to get a SIM card. Plus, you’ll have to activate it following local rules.
If none of these options sound ideal, choosing an eSIM plan can help you avoid waiting or moving around an unfamiliar country with no internet connection.
Holafly’s eSIM for Africa: No queues or delivery times
With the Holafly eSIM for Africa, you get unlimited data in 28 African countries under a single eSIM plan. That means no SIM swapping when arriving in a new country.
The regional eSIM can cost as little as $3.59/day, and with that you get unlimited data at up to 5G speeds, 500 MB of daily hotspot sharing, and 24/7 customer support. Plus, the entire activation process takes just a matter of minutes.
Traveling for more than a month or setting up your new life in Africa? Holafly Plans is an eSIM subscription service. The Unlimited Plan gives you unlimited data in 170+ global destinations for $64.90/month. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone, and you’re all set.
How much is a SIM card in Africa?
An Africa SIM card can cost between $0.66 (32 EGP) for a 1.4 GB bundle with Vodacom Egypt and $49.90 for 10 GB with SimOptions.
Final prices vary depending on the provider, and you may face delivery fees for online purchases.
How to register your Africa SIM card
Every Africa SIM card has a different activation process.
For international providers and marketplaces like SimOptions, SimCorner, and Orange, the SIM card will start working as soon as you land in your destination.
Activation can be more complicated for local carriers like MTN and Vodacom. To get a dedicated travel SIM card from Vodacom, you can simply buy your SIM from an official store or third-party vendor. To get other local Africa SIM cards not aimed at tourists, you’ll need proof of residency and a valid ID.
How to get a single-destination SIM card for Africa
Single destination SIM cards are more common than regional SIM cards for Africa. You should have plenty of options online and in physical stores across the entire continent.
It’s worth keeping in mind that many of these SIMs won’t work once you cross a border. Each country will also have different activation and registration processes.
See our guides on how to get a SIM card for various destinations in Africa below:
What is the best SIM card for Africa?
The best SIM card for Africa is the one that suits your trip. Make sure to understand the coverage and registration requirements of your regional plan before making a purchase.
To skip the stress of landing without data or waiting for delayed delivery times, your best bet is to get an eSIM for Africa. With Holafly’s unlimited data plan, you can activate your plan as soon as you land – and your single eSIM will keep you covered across the continent as you travel. No SIM swapping or lengthy sign-ups.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. However, not all local carriers offer regional tourist SIM cards for Africa.
You can get an Africa SIM card at official stores, retailers, or selected online stores.
As of 2025, MTN and Airtel are the most used networks in Africa.
As of 2025, MTN is the largest SIM card company in Africa, covering several countries across the region.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
