Hello Africa offers a low-cost eSIM that works in 36 countries across Africa. Hello Africa plans start from US$27 and are available from Airalo.

If you're planning a trip to Africa, one of the easiest ways to use your cellphone whilst you're there is with a Hello Africa eSIM.

You can get a Hello Africa eSIM from US$27 at Airalo. This will allow you to use your cellphone in Africa for up to 30 days. The Hello Africa eSIM is available on a pre-paid basis for visitors to Africa and can be used in a total of 36 countries.

In this article, we'll look at the Hello Africa service in Africa, including how you're able to get it and the best Hello Africa eSIM deals. We'll also look at the coverage available on a Hello Africa eSIM, and the other ways of using your mobile phone in Africa (e.g. through international roaming).

Plans From: US$27 for 30 days
Best Deals:
Compatible Devices:
  • Apple iPhone 11 and newer
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer
  • Google Pixel 3 and newer
  • see more...
Coverage: 36 countries across Africa
Voucher Code:
  • Save 10% on all Hello Africa eSIMs using KEN10 (new customers only)
  • Save 5% using the KEN5 voucher code (existing Airalo customers)

Hello Africa Plans

If you're looking for an affordable way to use your cellphone when travelling in Africa, you can get a Hello Africa eSIM from only US$27 for 30 days usage.

To get a Hello Africa eSIM, you'll need to have an eSIM-compatible device such as the iPhone 11, Galaxy S20, Pixel 3 or later devices. You can then order your Hello Africa eSIM through the Airalo app with instant delivery direct to your phone. There's no need to queue at the airport or to register the Hello Africa eSIM with your ID, saving you lots of time.

The following table shows the eSIM plans that are currently available from Hello Africa in Africa:

Plan Data Plan Cost
Hello Africa
  • Data-only eSIM
  • No calls included
1GB
data
US$27.00
30 days validity
See deal  
Hello Africa
  • Data-only eSIM
  • No calls included
3GB
data
US$59.00
30 days validity
See deal  

As a special offer for November 2024, you can get a 10% discount on all Hello Africa eSIMs. Simply enter the KEN10 voucher code at checkout. This offer is only available if you're new to Airalo.

If you've already used an Airalo eSIM in the past, you can use the KEN5 voucher code to get a 5% discount on your plan.

See all Hello Africa eSIM deals →

Once you've ordered your Hello Africa eSIM, it will only activate when your cellphone actually connects to a supported network in Africa. This means the validity period will only begin when you actually land in Africa and turn your cellphone on.

Your Hello Africa eSIM works with the dual-SIM function on most modern smartphones. This means you can use your regular SIM card alongside the Hello Africa eSIM (e.g. to receive incoming phone calls and text messages on your normal phone number).

Hello Africa eSIM Destinations

Your Hello Africa eSIM from Airalo can be used in the following 36 countries:

  • Algeria
  • Benin
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cameroon
  • Cape Verde
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Côte d'Ivoire
  • Democratic Republic Of The Congo
  • Egypt
  • Eswatini
  • Gabon
  • Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Mauritius
  • Nigeria
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Rwanda
  • Senegal
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leone
  • South Africa
  • Sudan
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Uganda
  • Zambia

Alternatives to Hello Africa

The main disadvantage of Hello Africa is the fact you're getting a data-only service on the eSIM. You will not get a local phone number in Africa when you're using the Hello Africa eSIM in your phone.

If you'd like to call or text whilst you're travelling in Africa, you'll need to use your normal SIM card instead (on which international roaming fees may apply). Alternatively, you can side-step these charges by making your calls through WhatsApp or other similar apps.

If you're looking for a more fully featured SIM card with a local phone number in Africa, you could consider getting a regular prepaid SIM card upon arrival instead. This will involve some additional hassle (e.g. queuing up at the airport to get your SIM card, a registration process for the SIM card, etc) but it can be preferable and better suited for longer-term use in Africa.

Hello Africa Coverage

If you're using a Hello Africa eSIM, you'll have access to coverage from the partner mobile networks from across Africa:

CountryCoverage ProviderNetwork Type
AlgeriaOrascom4G
BeninMTN4G
BotswanaMTN4G
Burkina FasoZain4G
CameroonOrange4G
Cape VerdeCV Movel4G
Central African RepublicOrange4G
ChadAirtel4G
Côte d'IvoireOrange4G
Democratic Republic Of The CongoAirtel (Celtel)4G
EgyptOrange4G
EswatiniMTN4G
GabonZain4G
GambiaAfricell4G
GhanaSPACEFON MOBILE - MTN4G
GuineaMTN3G
Guinea-BissauSpicetel (MTN)4G
KenyaZain4G
LiberiaMTN4G
MadagascarOrange4G
MalawiCelTel (Zain)4G
MaliOrange4G
MauritaniaMTEL4G
MauritiusOrange4G
NigeriaAirtel4G
Republic of the CongoAirtel (Celtel)4G
RwandaMTN4G
RwandaTigo4G
SenegalOrange4G
SeychellesAirtel4G
Sierra LeoneZain4G
South AfricaMTN4G
SudanMTN4G
TanzaniaCelTel (Zain)4G
TogoEtisalat4G
UgandaAirtel4G
ZambiaCeltel4G

If you're only planning to visit one country on your trip, it may be cheaper to get a country-specific eSIM instead. This will normally be available at a slightly lower price than the Hello Africa eSIM.

Other Airalo eSIMs

Airalo's Hello Africa eSIM can only be used in Africa.

Regional eSIMs

The following regional eSIMs are also available from Airalo, covering other parts of the world:

Country Specific eSIMs

You can also buy country-specific eSIMs from Airalo, including the following:

For more information, read our Airalo review.

More Information

For more information about Hello Africa, please see the Airalo website.

Your Comments 6 so far

We'd love to hear your thoughts and any questions you may have. So far, we've received 6 comments from readers. You can add your own comment here.

  • Richard said:

    Hi Ken
    Love this site!
    I’m off to South Africa in Feb 24 and I have a EE contract, they however do not cover that Country in their Data Roaming, what is the best way I can use my phone over there please?
    Get a sim when I land or do you know any other deals
    Thanks
    Richard

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