Africa · 2026
eSIM Providers for Africa (2026) — 51 Countries Compared
From the matrix
HelloRoam — Top composite rating
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Overview
Africa eSIM comparison overview
Across 51 Africa destinations, 5 eSIM providers offer 233 plan tiers. Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia are the most popular comparison targets. The per-GB range runs from Tunisia at $1.02/GB to Angola at $13.62/GB.
Provider coverage estimates for Africa: HelloRoam ~46, Airalo ~48, Holafly ~43, Saily ~37, Nomad ~28. Median eSIM rate: $4.50/GB. 10 countries have 5G.
35 countries sell unlimited plans.
Pricing
eSIM pricing spread across Africa
Pricing across Africa varies by up to $12.60/GB between cheapest and most expensive destinations. The lowest per-GB rate sits in Tunisia ($1.02/GB). The highest is in Angola ($13.62/GB). The region-wide median is $4.50/GB, and the average is $4.81/GB. 35 of 51 countries offer unlimited daily data. For travelers covering multiple Africa destinations, HelloRoam, Airalo and Holafly publish regional bundles that cover several countries on one eSIM; Nomad and Saily sell single-country plans only.
| Country | Cheapest/GB | Plans | Unlimited | Local operators |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1.02 | 6 | $5.31/day | 1 | |
| $1.90 | 0 | — | Not published | |
| $3.87 | 6 | $12.17/day | 1 | |
| $5.33 | 6 | $14.39/day | 1 | |
| $6.67 | 6 | $17.97/day | 1 | |
| $13.62 | 5 | $31.74/day | 1 |
Local operators counts the operators HelloRoam publishes for that destination. Cells reading “Not published” mean the dataset holds no row for that destination. Source: HelloRoam network data, captured 17 August 2026. HelloRoam publishes an operator list per destination. No speed measurement is involved.
Providers
Africa provider coverage matrix
Published destination counts and headline pricing for the five providers we track across Africa.
| Provider | Countries (published) | Avg Pricing | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | 186 | $3.50/GB | 186 countries, 204+ carriers, 63 languages |
| Airalo | 200+ | $4.50/GB | Widest coverage, top App score in our rubric |
| Holafly | 160 | $2.99/day | Unlimited daily data, 24/7 chat support |
| Saily | 200 | $3.99/GB | NordVPN integration, privacy focus |
| Nomad | 200 | $3.00/GB | Lowest per-GB rates in covered markets |
Networks
Network infrastructure across Africa
10 of 51 Africa countries have active 5G networks (20% penetration). 4G LTE is the dominant network type in most Africa markets. VPN restrictions apply in Algeria, Egypt, Chad and 2 more. IMEI registration is not required in any country in this region.
VPN Restrictions (5 countries)
- Algeria
- Egypt
- Chad
- Sudan
- Libya
Popular
Top destinations in Africa
Most-compared Africa countries by plan count.
Algeria
Morocco
Tunisia
South Africa
Mayotte
Tanzania
51 countries
All Africa eSIM destinations
Sorted by cheapest per-GB rate.
From the matrix
HelloRoam — Top composite rating
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
Common questions about Africa eSIMs
How many countries in Africa have eSIM coverage?
51 Africa countries are covered by at least one of the 5 providers in our comparison. HelloRoam covers approximately 46 of these Africa countries, Airalo ~48 of the region, Holafly ~43, Saily ~37, and Nomad ~28. Check each country page for exact provider availability and carrier routing details. Coverage counts are estimates based on provider-published destination lists as of June 2026.
What is the cheapest eSIM plan in Africa?
The lowest per-GB rate in Africa is $1.02/GB in Tunisia. The region-wide median is $4.50/GB and the average is $4.81/GB. Prices vary by country, data tier, and provider. Higher data tiers (10GB, 20GB) typically have lower per-GB rates than entry-level plans. Regional multi-country bundles from HelloRoam, Airalo and Holafly cover several countries on one eSIM, which is a setup saving on a multi-destination trip; compare the bundle price against the per-country totals above.
Which eSIM provider scores highest across Africa?
No single provider scores highest across all 51 Africa countries. Airalo has the widest coverage (~48 countries). Holafly scores highest on unlimited data (available in 35 Africa markets). Saily leads on privacy with built-in VPN. Nomad offers the lowest per-GB rates where it operates. The highest-scoring provider depends on your specific destination and data needs. Each country page shows the weighted matrix scores for all 5 providers.
Which Africa countries have 5G for eSIM users?
10 of 51 countries in Africa have active 5G networks (20% of the region). 5G availability is a direct input to the network score in our comparison matrix. All 5 providers support 5G where the local network covers it. Check individual country pages for specific 5G carrier names and coverage areas.
Can I get unlimited data eSIMs in Africa?
Yes. Unlimited daily data plans are available in 35 of 51 Africa countries. Holafly is the primary unlimited provider, starting from $2.99/day. Unlimited plans include a daily full-speed data allowance before speeds are reduced. For light data users (under 3 GB per trip), fixed-data plans from Airalo or Nomad typically cost less. Each country's comparison page shows the exact breakeven calculation between unlimited and fixed-data options.
Are there VPN restrictions for eSIM users in Africa?
5 Africa countries have VPN restrictions: Algeria, Egypt, Chad, Sudan and 1 more. VPN support is a scored feature in our comparison matrix. Saily, backed by NordVPN's parent company, includes built-in VPN on every plan and scores higher in restricted markets. The other 5 providers do not include VPN. Check each restricted country's page for specific VPN rules and how they affect provider scores.
Which Africa eSIM plan fits your trip?
Start with your destination country. Each country page in our Africa section shows a weighted comparison of all 5 providers with scores for coverage, network generation, app, pricing, and support. Match the plan tier to your trip length: most travelers use 3-5 GB per week. If you are visiting multiple Africa countries, compare regional bundles from Airalo (covers up to 130 countries per bundle) against individual plans. The pricing table on each country page shows per-GB cost at every tier.
How does the Africa eSIM comparison matrix work?
Each country in Africa gets a comparison across 5 equal-weight dimensions at 20% each: Coverage Breadth, Pricing Tiers, Network Generation, App Features, and Support Channels. Scores are derived from provider-published data, published support channels, refund windows, and carrier routing assignments. The matrix also includes provider-to-carrier routing tables, per-GB pricing at every tier, unlimited plan breakeven calculations, and refund policy comparisons. All data is checked weekly against each provider's own pages.
How often is the Africa eSIM data updated?
Pricing and plan availability for all 51 Africa countries are verified weekly. Provider scores are recalculated monthly or when a provider changes pricing, support hours, or refund terms. Carrier routing assignments are updated when providers switch local network partners. The freshness bar on each page shows the last verification date. All data is sourced directly from provider websites and published carrier documentation.
Regions
Compare other regions
Browse eSIM comparisons by region.
Compare providers in Africa
51 countries. 233 plans. All five providers scored side by side.
Common eSIM Questions
eSIM vs Google Fi
Travel eSIM providers offer data in 160 to 200-plus countries from $3.00/GB. Google Fi covers 200+ countries at $10/GB after the plan limit. eSIM providers cost less for short trips. Google Fi works better for US residents who want one plan at home and abroad. HelloRoam scores 4.6/5 in our comparison matrix.
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