In which African countries does the eSIM work?

It covers South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, Uganda, Mozambique and others. The full list is shown on the regional plan page.

How fast is the connection in Africa?

In big cities such as Nairobi, Cape Town, Accra and Lagos the 4G/LTE speed is good and allows browsing, video calls and streaming. In rural areas the speed may vary but remains sufficient for maps and messaging.

Do I need vaccinations to travel in Africa?

It depends on the destination country. For many sub-Saharan African countries, yellow fever vaccination is recommended or mandatory. Consult the Ministry of Health or your doctor before departure.

Yes, you can use your smartphone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to share the connection with tablets, Wi-Fi cameras and laptops.

How much does an eSIM for Africa cost?

eSIM plans for Africa start from €6.99. You pay once for the amount of data you choose — no subscription, no monthly fees and no hidden roaming charges. Plans with more data or longer validity cost more.

Is an eSIM or roaming better in Africa?

A local eSIM in Africa is almost always much cheaper than the roaming of your Italian operator. In the European Union roaming is often already included ("Roam Like at Home"), but outside the EU the costs can be very high — with an eSIM you know the price in advance and pay only for the data plan you need.

Can I keep my Italian number with the eSIM in Africa?

Yes. Your Italian SIM and number stay active — the travel eSIM works alongside it as a data-only line. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or Wi-Fi while you use the local network to browse. Traditional calls and SMS still go through your Italian number.

Should I activate the eSIM before or after I leave?

Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you leave. The data plan then activates automatically when you connect in Africa. That way you are online as soon as you arrive, without looking for airport Wi-Fi or buying a local SIM.

Can I top up or renew the plan for Africa?

Yes. When the data runs out or the validity expires, just buy a new plan — the eSIM profile already installed is kept and does not need to be installed again. You stay connected without interruption.

How many GB do I need for Africa?

For a normal trip, 1–3 GB a week is enough for maps, messages and occasional browsing. With social media and photo sharing allow about 5 GB; for streaming, video calls or a hotspot count on 10 GB or more. If the volume is not enough, you can buy an additional plan at any time.

Is the eSIM compatible with my phone?

The eSIM works with all compatible devices — including iPhone XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later. The phone must also be free of operator locks (not blocked). You can check compatibility in the settings under "Mobile data", or by dialling *#06# to see whether an EID code is shown.

eSIM plans for Africa

Instant delivery

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day returns
Support in Italian
Visa · Mastercard · PayPal (including Pay in 3) · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Satispay

eSIM for Africa — at a glance

From: €6.99
Technology: 4G/LTE
Network coverage: 80%
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Recommended data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for Africa

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€6.99
Unlimited	3 days	€19.99
Unlimited	5 days	€29.99
Unlimited	7 days	€37.99
Unlimited	10 days	€53.99
Unlimited	15 days	€81.99
Unlimited	30 days	€135.99
1 GB	7 days	€8.99
2 GB	15 days	€13.99
3 GB	30 days	€18.99
5 GB	30 days	€30.99
10 GB	30 days	€51.99
20 GB	30 days	€78.99
50 GB	30 days	€175.99

10 countries in this region

DR Congo

Egypt

Ghana

Lesotho

Morocco

Mozambique

Réunion

South Africa

Tanzania

Tunisia

Safaris in the Serengeti, the beaches of Zanzibar, Table Mountain in Cape Town, the colourful markets of Accra — Africa is a continent that thrills and surprises on every visit. For the Italian traveller, however, staying connected can be a challenge: local SIMs are not always easy to find, registration procedures vary enormously from country to country and roaming with Italian operators is often prohibitive. With the Datiovunque eSIM for Africa, you set off from Italy already connected: no queues on arrival, no additional paperwork, data ready for maps, translations and sharing on social media.

Countries covered

South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana and over 13 countries

Flight time from Rome

5-11 hours depending on the destination

Time zone

From 1 hour behind to 2 hours ahead of Rome

Mobile coverage

Expanding rapidly — the main tourist areas are well covered

Why use an eSIM in Africa

Africa is a vast and varied continent, where mobile infrastructure improves year after year but remains uneven. In many African countries buying a local SIM requires registration with a passport, sometimes with waiting times and unpredictable bureaucracy. Roaming with an Italian SIM outside the EU can cost significant amounts — especially for those who need data for maps and navigation during safaris or travel between cities. With Datiovunque, the eSIM is installed before departure and activates automatically on landing. For those combining several countries — the classic Kenya-Tanzania or South Africa with Mozambique — the regional plan is the most convenient and best-value solution.

Network coverage in Africa

Operator

Main operators (Safaricom, MTN, Vodacom, Airtel)

+ Local partner networks for maximum coverage in tourist areas

Technology

4G/LTE

Coverage

80%

Installing an eSIM for Africa: how does it work?

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Africa and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Africa and get online straight away.

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Africa and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Africa and get online straight away.

Which eSIM plan fits you best?

Holidaymakers

Going away for 1-2 weeks? Pick a plan with 3-5 GB for maps, photos and messages.

Business travellers

For video conferencing and email while travelling, we suggest at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpackers

A longer trip is better served by 10+ GB, or by a regional plan that spans multiple countries.

Families

For families with several devices we recommend a plan with tethering support and enough data.

Which suits Africa best: an eSIM, a local SIM or a Wi-Fi hotspot?

	eSIM	Local SIM	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Bought locally	Pick-up/delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €6.99	€5–30	€5–15/day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up at any time	Fixed data allowance	Daily rental
Recommended	Ideal for travellers	For long stays	For groups/families

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eSIM or roaming: which is better?How much data do you need when travelling?The best eSIMs: how to choose

Common questions about the eSIM for Africa

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