Africa eSIM

Africa eSIM 2026: prices, network and coverage

3 plans, from $11.49 (1 GB, 7 days) to $39.49 (5 GB, 30 days). Networks: Airtel 5G, Etisalat 5G, MTN 5G, Orange 5G, Vodacom 5G, Cell C 4G, Lonestar Cell MTN 4G, and Orange Morocco 4G.

Network

Airtel 5G, Etisalat 5G, MTN 5G, Orange 5G, Vodacom 5G, Cell C 4G, Lonestar Cell MTN 4G, Orange Morocco 4G

Top-up

Yes, from the eSIM page, on the same eSIM

Validity starts

At the first connection at your destination

Install by

Shown on your order. An eSIM that is never installed expires

Your number

Stays active, plans are data only

Hotspot

Uses the same plan data, no separate charge

Updated October 24, 2026

Three steps, then forget about it

1. 1

   Pick a destination

   Search a country or region. The price shows in your currency, taxes in.

2. 2

   Install in minutes

   Pay and the eSIM installs itself. No physical SIM, nothing to scan.

3. 3

   Land online

   Your data is live the moment you switch on. Keep your usual number.

Good to know

How much does an eSIM for Africa cost?

Plans start at $11.49 for 1 GB, valid for 7 days. There are 3 plans, from 1 GB to 5 GB.

How many countries does the Africa eSIM cover?

One eSIM works in 29 countries, so you do not need a new plan at every border.

Do I need a local SIM card?

No. The eSIM is a SIM card in digital form: you install it from a QR code before you leave, and there is nothing to buy at the airport or swap in your phone.

How is it different from roaming?

With roaming, your own carrier bills the data you use abroad, usually by the day or by the megabyte, at the prices of your plan. The eSIM is prepaid: you know the cost before you leave and nothing is added later. Keep data roaming off on your usual line, so it cannot charge you.

Which networks does the Africa eSIM use?

Yapsim connects to Airtel, Etisalat, MTN, and Orange, with 5G where it is available. Each plan lists the operators it uses.

Can I add more data?

Yes. You top up the same eSIM from its page, without installing a new one.

Do I keep my phone number?

Yes. Plans are data only, so your usual line stays active for calls and texts, and WhatsApp keeps working as always.

When do the validity days start?

Not when you buy and not when you install: the days start counting when the eSIM connects to a network at your destination for the first time. A 30 day plan gives you 30 days from that first connection.

How long do I have to install the eSIM?

An eSIM that is never installed expires. The "Install by" date is shown on your order and on the site, so you can buy ahead of your trip. Install it before that date, on Wi-Fi.

Can I use the eSIM as a hotspot?

Data used through a personal hotspot comes out of the same plan, and Yapsim does not charge it separately. A laptop uses far more data than a phone, so for work a day pass or a bigger plan is safer.

What happens when the data runs out?

Plans are prepaid, so there are no extra charges: when the data is used up, the connection stops until you add more from the eSIM page.

When should I install the eSIM?

Before you leave, on Wi-Fi. When you land, set the Yapsim line for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.