Africa · 51 countries
Country-by-Country Rates for Africa: Day Passes Against Prepaid Data
HelloRoam is the top pick for Africa: it sells 42 of the 51 Africa destinations on this page, and its 7-day unlimited plan has a median price of $79.83 across the 35 where it sells one, from $19.90 in Reunion, against $84 for a week on AT&T's $12-a-day pass, a $4 gap at the median, and Holafly ranks second on this site's rubric. HelloRoam runs its website and app in 63 languages. Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185. HelloRoam's price is from its catalogue of 29 Oct 2026, rivals' from the 30 Oct 2026 price check; AT&T's rate was checked June 2026.
HelloRoam's lowest 7-day unlimited prices here are $19.90 in Reunion, $21.50 in Mayotte and $27.72 in Morocco, from its catalogue of 29 Oct 2026. HelloRoam also sells fixed-data plans in 42 of the 51 destinations on this page, from $2.59 for 1 GB over 7 days in Tunisia. For a route across several countries, HelloRoam's Africa plan starts at $15.99 for 1 GB over 7 days; the plan covers its own country list. HelloRoam does not sell Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia, Lesotho, Togo, Zimbabwe or Namibia, so a route through them needs another provider for that leg.
The best Africa gap is $101 over 10 days in South Africa: AT&T totals $120, the lowest 10GB catalog plan $18.20. Rates checked June 2026. HelloRoam, an eSIM platform, sells 42 of the 51 Africa destinations on this page as single-country plans. Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185.
travel eSIM data at $5.03 a gigabyte and a $12 day pass are both dollar prices. HelloRoam settles in 31 currencies, so a non-dollar card can skip the 2 to 4 percent conversion on the eSIM side.
The gap, country by country
Africa destinations ranked by the dollar gap against the AT&T day pass
| Destination | Trip | Data need | Lowest catalog plan | AT&T total | Gap vs AT&T | T-Mobile total | Gap vs T-Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 10 days | 10GB | 10GB at $18.20 | $120 | $101 | $50 | $31 |
| Egypt | 8 days | 6.4GB | 10GB at $34.49 | $96 | $61 | $50 | $15 |
| Morocco | 7 days | 7GB | 10GB at $25.29 | $84 | $58 | $50 | $24 |
South Africa leads at $101: 10 days at the AT&T day rate total $120, and the 10GB catalog plan that covers 10GB costs $18.20. A HelloRoam eSIM in South Africa attaches to Vodacom. HelloRoam sells each destination in this table as its own plan, so the table prices them one by one. Rates checked June 2026.
No trip length or daily data figure is recorded for Tunisia, Algeria, Mayotte, Reunion, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Mauritania, Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Lesotho, Togo, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Seychelles, Zambia, Chad, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, Mauritius, Benin, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Botswana, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Liberia, Mali, Madagascar, Sudan, Libya, Cape Verde, Swaziland, Gambia and Angola, so this table prints no gap for them.
The lowest 1-day unlimited catalog price in Africa is $3.23, listed for Reunion. Rates checked June 2026.
Savings summary
Average savings across Africa: 58-82%
A 7-day trip in Africa costs $84 in AT&T International Day Pass ($12/day x 7 days). A travel eSIM covering the same week costs $15-$35 based on the regional average price of $5.03/GB. That is a difference of $49-$69 on a single week-long trip.
| Option | 7-day cost | Savings |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T International Day Pass | $84 | baseline |
| Verizon TravelPass | $84 | baseline |
| Travel eSIM (3GB plan) | $15 | Save $69 (82%) |
| Travel eSIM (7GB plan) | $35 | Save $49 (58%) |
eSIM cost calculated from the Africa average of $5.03/GB across 51 countries. Rates checked June 2026. Actual eSIM cost varies by country and plan size.
Network coverage
Africa mobile network overview
Africa is the most underserved region for travel eSIM providers, and the connectivity map reflects decades of uneven infrastructure investment. South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt have reliable 4G networks in urban areas from carriers like MTN, Safaricom, Vodacom, and Maroc Telecom. Outside major cities, coverage drops to 3G or disappears entirely. Central and West Africa have the most limited mobile infrastructure, with some countries lacking any international eSIM plan availability.
The provider market is thin. Airalo covers the most African countries but still has gaps. Holafly offers unlimited data in select African destinations but not continent-wide. Nomad and Saily have limited African coverage. Several countries, including Equatorial Guinea, Turkmenistan, and Ethiopia, have zero travel eSIM plan availability from major international providers. Check destination-specific coverage before purchasing.
Carrier roaming in Africa costs the same as everywhere else: AT&T at $12/day, Verizon at $12/day. A two-week safari trip through Kenya and Tanzania costs $120 in AT&T roaming at $12/day. Vodafone UK charges 2.00 pounds/day in the EU and 6.85 pounds/day worldwide; EE charges 2.72 pounds a day in the EU and 6 pounds for a 24-hour Zone 1 Pass (EE roaming checker, October 2026).
Safari lodges, national parks, and remote travel destinations require offline preparation. Mobile coverage in the Serengeti, Kruger, Namibian desert, and Madagascar's interior is patchy or nonexistent. Download offline maps, translation apps, and travel guides before arriving. A satellite communicator (Garmin inReach or Apple Emergency SOS) is recommended for any itinerary that includes wildlife reserves or rural areas.
The cost comparison in Africa tilts sharply toward eSIM. AT&T charges $12/day whether you are in Nairobi or the Serengeti. Even in destinations where coverage is limited, you pay carrier roaming rates during coverage gaps when your phone connects intermittently. An eSIM only costs you the data you use.
South Africa has the strongest eSIM market on the continent. Vodacom and MTN compete in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and along major tourist routes. Cape Town's city center has solid 4G coverage.
Kenya and Tanzania pair well as a safari combination. Safaricom covers Nairobi, Mombasa, and main safari routes; Vodacom Tanzania covers Dar es Salaam and the northern circuit. Coverage at the Maasai Mara and Serengeti exists near entrance points and lodges but drops in remote wilderness. AT&T roaming for the same 14 days: $120.
North Africa sits at a different price tier. Maroc Telecom in Morocco and Orange Egypt operate mature 4G networks with pricing comparable to European rates.
Regional overview
eSIM and roaming in Africa
Africa is the most underserved region for travel eSIM providers, but coverage is improving. South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco, and Egypt have reliable 4G networks in urban areas, powered by carriers like MTN, Safaricom, and Vodacom. Outside major cities, coverage drops to 3G or disappears entirely in rural areas. The average eSIM price across 51 African countries is $5.03/GB, higher than Asia or Europe due to limited competition and infrastructure costs. Several African countries still have zero eSIM plan availability. North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) has the best eSIM infrastructure, followed by East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) and Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana). West and Central Africa remain the most challenging for connectivity, with fewer providers and higher prices. Safari and remote travel destinations require offline preparation since coverage outside urban areas is unreliable.
Top destinations
Top 5 eSIM destinations in Africa
The most popular countries for travel eSIM plans in Africa, ranked by plan availability and pricing.
Vodacom and MTN cover Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban.
Safaricom covers Nairobi and Mombasa. Maasai Mara has partial coverage.
Maroc Telecom covers Marrakech, Fez, and Casablanca. North African pricing similar to European rates.
Vodafone EG and Orange EG cover Cairo, Luxor, and the Red Sea coast.
Vodacom TZ covers Dar es Salaam and Zanzibar. Serengeti coverage is partial with tower gaps.
Our analysis
Best eSIM provider for Africa: Airalo
Airalo sells plans across much of Africa. South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Tanzania, Ghana, and Senegal all have Airalo plans with local carrier partnerships (MTN, Safaricom, Vodacom, Maroc Telecom). The Africa regional bundle covers 20+ countries on a single eSIM. For multi-country itineraries (Kenya + Tanzania safari, Morocco + Egypt North Africa tour), Airalo's regional bundle is the only option that avoids buying separate plans at each border.
Rates checked June 2026. Provider ranking comes from the published rubric: trip cost, refund window, destination coverage, support languages, and support channels.
Recommended
eSIM providers for Africa
These providers offer the strongest coverage, pricing, and support across Africa destinations.
Lists 200+ destinations, level with Holafly, so a thin African market is more likely to be stocked
Unlimited data removes worry about rationing usage in countries where top-ups are difficult
Carrier costs
Carrier roaming rates in Africa
What AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and UK carriers charge for roaming in Africa. Rates checked June 2026.
| Carrier | Daily rate | 7-day cost |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $12/day | $84 |
| Verizon | $12/day | $84 |
| T-Mobile | Included, then 256Kbps | Varies |
| Vodafone UK | £2.00/day EU, £6.85/day worldwide | Varies |
| Travel eSIM (avg) | $5.03/GB | $25-$50 |
AT&T roaming in Africa
International Day Pass covers most African countries at $12/day. A two-week Kenya and Tanzania safari costs $120 in roaming, because AT&T bills at most 10 daily fees per line each bill cycle. Coverage in national parks depends on local carrier infrastructure. AT&T connects to Safaricom (Kenya) and Vodacom (Tanzania) towers where they exist.
Verizon roaming in Africa
TravelPass charges $12/day in supported African countries. Not all African nations are in Verizon's TravelPass coverage zone. Verify your specific destination on Verizon's travel page before departure.
T-Mobile roaming in Africa
T-Mobile's Experience plans include 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data abroad, then up to 256Kbps. Given Africa's coverage gaps outside cities, the included data provides basic messaging where coverage exists. Do not rely on it for navigation in rural areas.
Vodafone UK roaming in Africa
Vodafone UK charges 2.00 pounds/day inside the EU and 6.85 pounds/day outside it, and African destinations take the worldwide line. South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, and Egypt all carry the same rate. EE charges 2.72 pounds a day inside the EU (EE roaming checker, October 2026), and its 6-pound Zone 1 Pass does not cover Africa.
Data tips
Staying connected in Africa
Practical advice for managing data and connectivity across Africa.
Download offline maps, translation apps, and travel guides before arriving. Cellular coverage outside African capitals is unreliable.
Safari lodges and national parks often have no mobile coverage. A satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, Apple Emergency SOS) is recommended for remote areas.
North African countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) have affordable eSIM pricing similar to European rates.
Nigeria requires biometric SIM registration for local cards. International eSIMs bypass this for short-term visitors.
WiFi quality
WiFi and connectivity in Africa
African WiFi is concentrated in capital cities, hotels, and a small number of co-working spaces.
- South African hotels and cafes in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban offer reliable WiFi. Load-shedding power outages can knock out WiFi temporarily.
- Kenyan and Tanzanian safari lodges may have satellite WiFi. It is slow and often rationed per guest.
- Moroccan riads and hotels in Marrakech and Fez provide free WiFi. Speeds are moderate but sufficient for messaging and navigation.
- Nigerian hotel WiFi in Lagos and Abuja is inconsistent. Power outages affect connectivity. A mobile eSIM provides a more reliable connection.
Compare providers
eSIM provider matchups for Africa
See how the top eSIM providers stack up for Africa travel.
Learn more
Related guides for Africa travelers
How roaming works and why it costs so much
Step-by-step guide for iPhone and Android
5 providers ranked and compared
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone, EE side by side
Prevent surprise charges before your trip
Travel tips
Africa roaming tips
Practical advice for staying connected across Africa without overpaying.
Download offline maps, translation tools, and travel guides before arriving. Mobile coverage outside major African cities is unreliable.
South Africa, Kenya, and Morocco have the strongest eSIM infrastructure in Africa. Other countries may have limited or no eSIM plan availability.
Safari lodges and national parks often have no mobile coverage. Satellite communicators (Garmin inReach, Apple SOS) are recommended for remote wildlife areas.
North African countries (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) have affordable eSIM pricing similar to European rates.
Nigeria requires SIM registration with biometric data for local cards, but international eSIMs bypass this requirement for short-term visitors.
Africa destinations
All 51 countries in Africa
Sorted by cheapest eSIM price. Click any country to see the full carrier-by-carrier breakdown.
Common questions
Africa eSIM FAQ
How much does an eSIM cost in Africa?
The average eSIM price across 51 countries in Africa is $5.03/GB. Prices vary by country and provider. Regional bundles covering multiple Africa countries on a single eSIM offer the best per-GB value for multi-country trips.
Which eSIM provider has the best coverage in Africa?
Airalo and Holafly each list 200+ destinations worldwide. Holafly sells unlimited daily plans. Saily sells plans with built-in VPN protection. The best provider depends on your priorities: Airalo for breadth, Holafly for unlimited data, Saily for privacy, and Nomad for budget destinations. Check individual country pages for carrier-level coverage details.
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in Africa?
Yes. AT&T International Day Pass charges $12/day and Verizon TravelPass charges $12/day for roaming in Africa. T-Mobile's Experience plans include 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data abroad, then up to 256Kbps, while eSIMs deliver full 4G/5G speeds.
Will my eSIM work on safari in Africa?
Mobile coverage in African national parks and safari reserves varies widely. Popular parks in Kenya (Maasai Mara) and Tanzania (Serengeti) have partial coverage from Safaricom and Vodacom towers, but signal drops in remote areas. South African parks like Kruger have better coverage. Always download offline maps and carry a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach, Apple Emergency SOS) for remote wildlife areas where cellular coverage is unavailable.
Which African countries have the best eSIM availability?
South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Ghana have the most eSIM plan options from international providers. North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) has pricing and availability similar to European levels. West and Central African countries have the fewest options.
Do I need a local SIM card in Africa or is eSIM enough?
For most travelers visiting major tourist destinations (Cape Town, Nairobi, Marrakech, Cairo), an international eSIM provides sufficient coverage. Long-term stays, rural travel, or visits to countries with no eSIM plan availability may require a local SIM card. Local SIM registration in Nigeria and Kenya requires biometric data. International eSIMs bypass this registration process.
Is South Africa's load-shedding a problem for mobile networks?
Load-shedding (scheduled power outages) in South Africa can affect cell tower battery backup and WiFi connections. Mobile networks from Vodacom and MTN have generator backup on most major towers, so coverage in cities rarely drops during outages. Rural towers may go offline. WiFi at hotels and restaurants goes down during load-shedding unless they have generators.
How much does an eSIM save versus roaming in Kenya?
AT&T charges $12/day in Kenya. A 14-day Kenya trip costs $120 in AT&T roaming.
Does eSIM work in Morocco?
Yes. Maroc Telecom covers Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, Rabat, and the main tourist routes with 4G LTE. Coverage in the Sahara desert near Merzouga and Erg Chebbi has limited signal outside towns. Atlas Mountain villages have patchy coverage.
Which African countries have no eSIM availability?
Several African countries have no international eSIM plan availability from major providers: Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, South Sudan, Central African Republic, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ethiopia has limited options. Travelers to these destinations must use local SIM cards purchased at arrival. Check Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad coverage maps before finalizing any African itinerary — availability changes as providers expand partnerships.
Explore more
Other regions
Compare roaming costs and eSIM prices across every region.
How we checked these rates
Carrier roaming rates were read from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone UK, and EE official rate cards and websites in June 2026. Destination plan prices come from HelloRoam's catalogue, read 29 Oct 2026, and destinations outside it keep their earlier record. Per-GB averages are calculated from the cheapest available plan per country. The 1-day unlimited price is the 1-day tier in that catalogue. All prices are in USD unless stated otherwise. Rates checked June 2026.
Is eSIM cheaper than international roaming?
Yes, a travel eSIM is 70-90% cheaper than carrier roaming for international trips. AT&T and Verizon charge $12/day for international data, totaling $84-168 for a 7-14 day trip. A travel eSIM on the same local network costs $5-25 for the same period. Both connect to the same cell towers in the destination country. The eSIM removes the carrier markup. Rates verified June 2026.
How do I avoid roaming charges abroad?
Five steps to avoid roaming charges: 1) Install a travel eSIM before departure (costs $5-25 for a week). 2) Turn off data roaming for your carrier SIM in phone settings. 3) Set your eSIM as the primary data line. 4) Keep your carrier SIM active for incoming calls via dual-SIM. 5) Download offline maps and translation packs before the flight. This setup saves 70-90% vs carrier roaming on the same network.
Compare Africa roaming vs eSIM prices.
Open any country to see the exact roaming cost and eSIM alternative.
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