HelloRoam sells eSIM data plans for Africa, with e SIM pricing from NZ$27.45 across 212+ carrier networks. Scan a QR code and you're connected in under two minutes, no physical SIM swap needed. Your Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees number stays active while the e-sim handles data. You can get a refund on unactivated eSIMs within 180 days, plus 24/7 live support.
- network coverage
212+- 5G support
4G LTE with expanding 5G in major cities- to activate
2 minutes
Last updated
eSIM Africa data plans from HelloRoam
Sorted for less: eSIM plans for Africa start from NZ$27.45, with local 4G LTE and 5G mobile data on trusted carrier networks. Works on all eSIM compatible phones. Pay in NZD. Airport SIM counters across Africa have variable English support and long queues after long-haul flights from New Zealand. An Africa e SIM from HelloRoam starts at NZ$27.45 on Local network provider 4G/5G networks across East, West, and Southern Africa.
Africa eSIM with fast 4G LTE with expanding 5G in major cities coverage
HelloRoam Africa eSIM keeps NZ travellers connected across African countries without buying a new SIM at each border. Plans start at NZ$2.23 per day and connect to local 4G networks.
- Plans start at NZ$27.45 with 4G LTE with expanding 5G in major cities speeds
- Coverage from local networks
- Instant activation in under 2 minutes
- 180-day money-back guarantee
- Africa coverage across major cities
- Network
- 4G LTE with expanding 5G in major cities
- Plans From
- NZ$27.45
- Activation
- Under 2 min
- Guarantee
- 180 days
How to Set Up an eSIM in Africa
Follow these steps to get started with an eSIM on your iPhone or Android.
Set up an eSIM on your iPhone with the HelloRoam app
Set up an eSIM on your Android with the HelloRoam app
- 1
Choose your plan and checkout online
Pick a mobile data plan for your destination and pay securely in NZD.
2Scan the QR code
Scan the QR code to install your eSIM straight away.
- 3
Activate in minutes: ready when you land
Your eSIM activates when you arrive at your destination. No SIM swap, no queues, no airport kiosk.
4Manage it all from our mobile app
Track usage, top up data, and manage your eSIMs in one spot.
Plans changed? No dramas. You're covered.
Travel plans change, and that's okay. With HelloRoam, unactivated and unscanned eSIMs qualify for a full refund within 180 days of purchase. No dramas.
Learn more about our refund policyHelloRoam Africa eSIM vs Spark, Vodafone NZ and 2degrees
Comparing an e SIM vs Spark, 2degrees, or One NZ roaming for Africa? Spark charges NZ$6/day, 2degrees NZ$5/day, and One NZ around NZ$5/day. HelloRoam eSIM starts from NZ$27.45 with local network speeds and a refund on unactivated eSIMs within 180 days. You pay less than a single day of carrier roaming and get no surprise bills.
| Feature comparison | HelloRoam | Local provider | Limited data eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refund on unactivated eSIMs |  Feature available |  Feature not available | Feature not available |
| Live chat support | Feature available |  Feature available | Feature available |
| NZ$0 activation fees | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature available |
| Hotspot and data sharing included | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available |
| No data overage fees | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available |
| QR code delivered instantly | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature available |
| Premium Africa carrier networks | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available |
Why Kiwi Travellers Pick HelloRoam for Their Africa Trip
24/7 live support
Need help from Tokyo at midnight or London at 2am? Our support team is on 24/7. A real person responds in under 2 minutes. No bots, no hold music, no runaround. Live chat, WhatsApp, and email are all available so you get help however suits you best.
Best eSIM for Africa
Connect to local 4G LTE and 5G networks in Africa the moment you land. Buy your plan, scan the QR code, and get online when you land. No roaming charges, no SIM swap. Local carrier speeds mean maps, streaming, and messaging run without a hitch from the airport kerb.
Dual SIM: keep your NZ number
Keep your Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees number active for calls and texts. HelloRoam runs on a second eSIM line on any dual SIM phone and handles all your data in Africa. Family and friends ring your NZ number as normal while you browse on local data rates overseas.
212+ networks worldwide
HelloRoam eSIM connects to 212+ carrier networks across 185+ countries. Your phone picks the strongest 4G/5G or 5G signal when you land and switches as you move. That means consistent mobile internet whether you're in a major city, at a rural guesthouse, or on a highway between stops.
Data alerts before you run out
You get an alert at 80% data so you never run dry mid-trip. Top up your eSIM plan from the app with no profile reinstall and no store visit. Your data usage history stays in the dashboard so you can see exactly what you've spent and plan the rest of your trip.
Local 4G/5G speeds in Africa
Connect to local 4G LTE and 5G networks in Africa. HelloRoam picks the strongest signal for maps, streaming, and video calls wherever you travel. Local network speeds make a genuine difference when you're navigating a new city or jumping on a video call with people back home.
Regional plans for multi-country trips
Heading to Japan, Thailand, the UK, or Fiji after Africa? HelloRoam regional eSIM plans cover Asia-Pacific, Europe, and 185+ countries on one QR code. No SIM swapping between stops. One prepaid data plan covers your whole itinerary so you spend less time worrying about connectivity and more time exploring.
Hotspot tethering in Africa included
Share your eSIM data with a laptop or tablet via hotspot. No extra fees, no fiddly setup. Works on all eSIM compatible phones including iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. Useful for keeping a travel partner connected or getting a work laptop online when hotel Wi-Fi isn't up to scratch.
HelloRoam vs Other eSIM Providers for Africa
HelloRoam offers a refund on unactivated eSIMs within 180 days, zero activation fees, and 24/7 live support. See how HelloRoam stacks up against Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and other eSIM providers for your Africa trip.
| Feature comparison | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily | Ubigi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refund on unactivated eSIMs | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available |
| 24/7 live chat support | Feature available | Feature available | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature available | Feature available |
| NZ$0 activation fees | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available |
| Hotspot and data sharing included | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available |
| No data overage charges | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available |
| Instant QR code delivery | Feature available | Feature available | Feature available | Feature available | Feature available | Feature available |
| Premium Africa carrier networks | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available |
| Own branded carrier identity (SPN) | Feature available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature not available | Feature available |
What Is an eSIM and How Does It Work in Africa?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your mobile. No plastic chip, no SIM tray to fiddle with. Scan a QR code to install it on any eSIM compatible phone and you're connected in under 2 minutes. It works as a prepaid mobile data plan for Africa travel with no airport SIM counter queue, no replacement SIM, and no carrier contract. Follow the step-by-step setup guide and you'll be sorted well before your flight from Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch. guide
eSIM coverage guide for Africa travel from NZ
Africa is a bucket-list destination for many Kiwi travellers. Safari circuits in Kenya and Tanzania, Cape Town and the Garden Route in South Africa, and Morocco's medinas and Sahara are among the top draws.
A HelloRoam Africa regional eSIM lets you stay connected in covered areas without buying a SIM at each border.
North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt) has solid 4G in cities. Morocco's Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fez are well-covered. Egypt's Cairo, Giza, Luxor, and Sharm El Sheikh have reliable 4G for NZ visitors on Nile and Red Sea trips.
East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Mozambique) is a fast-growing mobile market. Kenya's Safaricom leads with strong 4G and growing 5G in Nairobi. Rwanda has achieved near-universal 4G as a national priority.
Mount Kilimanjaro approaches and Serengeti national park areas have limited signal.
Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia) is served by Vodacom and MTN. Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban have solid 4G. The Kruger National Park has coverage at reception areas but not across the bush. Namibia's Etosha and the Namib Desert are largely uncovered.
West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Ivory Coast) has rapidly improving urban networks. Accra, Lagos, and Dakar are well-served. Rural and border areas have more limited coverage.
- Coverage ranges from strong 4G in capitals to no signal in national parks
- Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are the most popular NZ safari destinations
- Morocco and Egypt have solid urban 4G for North Africa travel
- Game reserves often have no coverage away from lodges and gates
- Rwanda has achieved near-universal 4G as a national priority
- Always download offline maps before entering any game reserve
- GSMA Mobile Economy Sub-Saharan Africa 2025;
- HelloRoam Partner Network Data 2025
eSIM Travel Tips for Africa
Download offline maps before entering game reserves
African national parks and game reserves including the Serengeti, Kruger, Masai Mara, Etosha, and Okavango Delta have no mobile coverage away from main gates and lodge areas. Download offline maps before you enter any national park. GPS in your phone works without signal, so offline maps will show your location on game drives.
East Africa's safari corridor is patchy outside cities
The safari corridor from Nairobi to Mombasa to Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar has strong urban coverage. The Masai Mara and Serengeti parks themselves have limited coverage away from main camps. Zanzibar town has good 4G but remote parts of the island have weaker signal.
Morocco's medinas have dense coverage
Morocco's old medinas in Marrakech, Fez, and Meknes have good mobile coverage despite the narrow alleyways. The Atlas Mountain roads and rural Saharan areas near Merzouga have gaps. Download offline navigation for mountain passes and desert tracks before heading out of cities.
South Africa's load shedding can affect towers
South Africa's scheduled power cuts (load shedding) can briefly affect mobile towers in some areas. Most towers have battery backup and outages are usually short. Vodacom and MTN remain reliable for most of the day across major urban areas. Check load shedding schedules when planning connectivity-dependent tasks.
Tanzania's Zanzibar has good resort coverage
Zanzibar's Stone Town, Nungwi, and Kendwa resort areas have solid 4G. The less-visited southeastern coast and jungle interior have weaker coverage. Mafia Island and Pemba Island have limited signal. Download accommodation details before leaving Stone Town for remote beaches.
Budget extra data for city navigation in Africa
African cities like Nairobi, Cairo, and Johannesburg have heavy traffic and unclear road signage. Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze are essential. Budget 200MB to 400MB per day for navigation alone in complex city driving. Keep your HelloRoam eSIM active before leaving the airport or hotel.
Emergency numbers vary widely across Africa
Emergency numbers across Africa are not uniform. South Africa uses 10111 (police) and 10177 (ambulance). Kenya uses 999 or 112. Egypt uses 122 (police) and 123 (ambulance). Morocco uses 190 (police) and 150 (ambulance). Research and save the correct numbers for each country on your itinerary.
Mobile network coverage across Africa
Africa's mobile landscape ranges from strong 4G in capital cities to no signal at all in national parks, deserts, and rural areas.
Ken ya's Safaricom is one of Africa's most impressive operators, consistently winning GSMA awards for coverage and innovation. It leads 4G and 5G expansion in Nairobi. Rwanda's carrier has achieved near-universal 4G, a rare achievement for sub-Saharan Africa. South Africa's Vodacom and MTN serve Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban well.
North Africa
North Africa's Morocco and Egypt have solid networks for tourist areas. Maroc Telecom, Vodafone Egypt, and Orange Egypt cover main destinations reliably.
West Africa
West Africa's MTN and Airtel serve cities well. Rural West Africa and border areas remain challenging for coverage.
Game reserve areas across East and Southern Africa are almost entirely without mobile coverage beyond lodge reception areas. This is normal and expected. Plan all safari navigation offline.
- MTN Group
- Airtel Africa
- Vodacom
- Orange Africa
- Safaricom
HelloRoam Africa eSIM vs buying SIMs country by country
For an African safari circuit or multi-country Africa trip from New Zealand, a regional eSIM is far simpler than buying a SIM at every border.
| Category | HelloRoam Regional Africa eSIM Recommended | Individual country SIMs | Spark, Vodafone NZ, or One NZ international roaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | — | — | — |
| Details | One plan covers 54 African countries. Buy before leaving New Zealand, activate at home, arrive connected in Nairobi, Cape Town, or Marrakech. No SIM queue at each border or airport. | Buying separate SIMs in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa means passport registration at each, losing your number each time, and costs that add up. Kenya and South Africa SIM registration can take time at busy airport counters. | NZ carrier roaming in Africa can cost $8 to $15 per day. For a two-week Kenya and Tanzania safari this could add $112 to $210 to your bill. A HelloRoam Africa eSIM is far better value for a multi-country African trip. |
Prices approximate as of . Actual savings vary.
Best times for Africa travel from New Zealand
East Africa's best safari season runs June to October when the dry season concentrates animals around water sources and grass is low. This period coincides with the Great Migration in the Masai Mara and Serengeti.
South Africa has excellent year-round conditions. Cape Town's best weather is October to April (NZ spring and summer). The Kruger Park is excellent year-round but the dry season (May to September) is best for game sightings.
Morocco is best March to May and September to November. Summer heat in the Sahara can be extreme. NZ winter (June to August) is peak season for Moroccan desert travel when temperatures are manageable.
Sort your Africa eSIM before leaving Auckland. Africa's airport SIM processes can involve registration paperwork and queues. An eSIM sorted at home is far simpler.
Explore Countries in Africa
Morocco
From $4
HelloRoam gives you mobile data in Morocco, covering Marrakesh and Casablanca. No SIM swap needed on arrival.
Orange Morocco 5G covers Marrakech and Casablanca. Activate before landing.
Egypt
From $4
Stay connected in Egypt with HelloRoam eSIM data covering Cairo, Alexandria, and tourist areas.
Orange Egypt 5G covers Cairo. Activate at Cairo Airport to skip SIM card lines on arrival.
Botswana
From $8
HelloRoam provides eSIM data for Botswana, keeping you online in Gaborone and safari areas.
Orange 4G covers Gaborone and main roads. Coverage is sparse in the Kalahari. Download maps.
Burkina Faso
From $8
HelloRoam offers eSIM data in Burkina Faso covering Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.
Orange 4G covers Ouagadougou. Coverage drops significantly north toward the Sahel border.
Central African Republic
From $7
HelloRoam offers eSIM data for the Central African Republic, covering Bangui and nearby areas.
Orange 3G covers Bangui. Coverage is limited across the Central African Republic.
Chad
From $6
Stay connected in Chad with HelloRoam eSIM data covering N'Djamena and major towns.
Airtel 4G covers N'Djamena. Coverage thins outside the capital. Plan offline maps before travel.
Côte d’Ivoire
From $9
HelloRoam gives you data in Ivory Coast covering Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, and major cities.
Orange 4G covers Abidjan and main cities. Coverage thins in the western rainforest regions.
DR Congo
From $6
Get HelloRoam eSIM data for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, covering Kinshasa.
Vodacom 5G covers Kinshasa. Coverage is very limited outside urban centers. Cache offline maps.
Eswatini
From $15
HelloRoam gives you eSIM data in Eswatini, covering Mbabane, Manzini, and nature reserves.
Swazi MTN covers Mbabane on 4G. Coverage follows main roads. Activate before landing.
Gabon
From $6
Get HelloRoam eSIM data in Gabon covering Libreville, Port-Gentil, and surrounding areas.
Airtel 4G covers Libreville and Port-Gentil. Coverage drops in Gabon's national parks.
Ghana
From $3
Get HelloRoam data in Ghana covering Accra, Kumasi, and other major cities across the country.
AirtelTigo 3G covers Accra and Kumasi. Signal is limited in northern regions. Activate at ACC.
Guinea-Bissau
From $7
Get HelloRoam eSIM data for Guinea-Bissau covering Bissau and key areas across the country.
Orange 4G covers Bissau. Coverage is thin outside the capital. Bijagos Islands have no signal.
Kenya
From $3
HelloRoam provides eSIM data in Kenya for Nairobi, Mombasa, and safari regions. Get connected fast.
Airtel and yu run 5G in Nairobi and Mombasa. Maasai Mara safari areas have patchy signal.
Liberia
From $7
Get HelloRoam data in Liberia covering Monrovia and nearby areas. Connect without a SIM card.
Lonestar Cell MTN 4G covers Monrovia. Coverage is limited outside the capital. Download maps.
Madagascar
From $9
HelloRoam offers eSIM data for Madagascar, keeping you connected in Antananarivo and beyond.
Airtel 4G covers Antananarivo and coastal cities. Madagascar's highland interior is sparse.
Malawi
From $6
Get HelloRoam data in Malawi for Lilongwe, Blantyre, and Lake Malawi. No SIM swap needed.
Airtel 4G covers Lilongwe and Blantyre. Coverage is limited along Lake Malawi shores.
Mali
From $7
HelloRoam gives you mobile data in Mali covering Bamako and Sikasso. Get online on arrival.
Orange 5G covers Bamako. Coverage drops rapidly toward the Sahara. Download maps before travel.
Niger
From $6
HelloRoam provides eSIM data in Niger, keeping you online in Niamey and surrounding areas.
Airtel 4G covers Niamey. Coverage is limited outside the capital. Download maps for desert travel.
Nigeria
From $5
Get HelloRoam data in Nigeria covering Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. No SIM swap needed.
Glo 4G covers Lagos and Abuja. Signal can be congested in Lagos during peak hours.
Congo
From $7
HelloRoam offers eSIM data for the Republic of the Congo, covering Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire.
Airtel 4G covers Brazzaville. Coverage is limited outside the capital and main river routes.
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Reviews
What Kiwi Travellers Say
Real reviews from Trustpilot and the App Store, quoted as written.
40k+ travellers have used HelloRoam
Cat
On a trip to Europe, my hotel Wi-Fi was so slow and outside Wi-Fi was unreliable. I couldn’t take it anymore so I got helloroam for a few days. It was tricky to set up correctly because of the primary settings (with my original number). But I reached out to their customer service via WhatsApp. Super responsive and helpful, with specific and clear steps to troubleshoot. Appreciate having 4G roaming instead of being stuck with in and out Wi-Fi during my trip!!
Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer
Very good experience! The eSIM was easy to set up and worked great in London. It was much cheaper than it would have been to use my own operator there.
Ilona
Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer
metulker
Hard to set up but help was good
Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer
Reuben
Really happy with HelloRoam. Everything worked as expected, from messaging and Google Maps through to streaming without any issues. Easy to use, reliable and affordable. Would happily use them again when travelling.
Rated 5 out of 5 by this reviewer
Angeline
Reliable connection. Reasonable pricing.
Rated 4 out of 5 by this reviewer
Africa eSIM Questions
Does an Africa eSIM cover safari destinations and major cities?
Africa e SIM plans run on Local network provider 4G/5G networks covering major East, West, and Southern African countries from NZ$27.45. HelloRoam delivers the e-sim QR to your inbox before your flight from Auckland. No contract, no NZ roaming fees on arrival.
What is the best e-sim for Africa for Kiwis doing a safari or overland trip?
Kiwis on an Africa safari or overland trip get an Africa e-sim from HelloRoam from NZ$27.45 on Local network provider 4G/5G networks. Activate by QR code before boarding in Auckland and skip every African airport SIM counter.
What is the best eSIM for Africa from New Zealand?
For Kiwi travellers, HelloRoam is a simple eSIM option for Africa. Plans start from NZ$27.45 across 212+ carrier networks in 185+ countries. Buy online, scan the QR code at home on Wi-Fi, and connect the moment you land. It's cheaper than Spark roaming at NZ$6/day, 2degrees at NZ$5/day, and One NZ travel passes. You get local 4G/5G speeds, a refund on unactivated eSIMs within 180 days, and 24/7 live chat support.
How much does an eSIM cost for Africa?
eSIM plans for Africa start from NZ$27.45. That's well under what Spark charges for roaming ($6/day) or 2degrees ($5/day for selected countries). Fixed data plans run from 1GB to 20GB. Unlimited daily plans suit longer stays, OE trips, and remote work. All plans include local 4G LTE and 5G with no overage charges and no carrier contract.
Which networks does eSIM work on in Africa?
HelloRoam connects to local carrier networks in Africa and your phone picks the strongest 4G LTE or 5G signal on arrival. Coverage spans major cities, airports, highways, and popular tourist areas. For Kiwis heading out of Auckland (AKL), Wellington (WLG), Christchurch (CHC), or Queenstown (ZQN), data is ready the moment you land.
How do I get an eSIM for Africa before my trip?
Buy your Africa eSIM on helloroam.com or the HelloRoam app before you fly from AKL, WLG, CHC, or ZQN. Scan the QR code in your phone Settings to install at home on Wi-Fi. Your eSIM activates automatically when you land in Africa. The whole process takes under two minutes. No airport kiosk, no SIM swap.
Does iPhone work with a Africa eSIM?
iPhone XS and all newer models support eSIM for Africa. Open Settings, tap Mobile Data, then Add eSIM, and scan the HelloRoam QR code. Your Spark, One NZ, or 2degrees number stays active on the physical SIM line while HelloRoam handles data in Africa. That includes iPhone 15, 16, and SE models from 2020 onward.
Does a HelloRoam eSIM work in Kenya and Tanzania?
Yes, HelloRoam eSIM works in Kenya on Safaricom 4G and in Tanzania on Vodacom Tanzania and Airtel Tanzania. Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar are well-covered. The Masai Mara and Serengeti national parks themselves have limited coverage. Download offline maps before entering any game reserve.
Does a HelloRoam eSIM work in South Africa?
Yes, HelloRoam eSIM works in South Africa on Vodacom and MTN networks. Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban have solid 4G. The Kruger National Park has coverage at reception areas but not across the bush. Garden Route towns are generally well-covered.
Does a HelloRoam eSIM work in Morocco?
Yes, HelloRoam eSIM works in Morocco on Maroc Telecom, Orange Morocco, and Inwi. Marrakech, Fez, Casablanca, and coastal areas are well-covered. Atlas Mountain roads and rural Saharan desert areas near Merzouga have coverage gaps. Download offline navigation before mountain passes and desert routes.
