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DR Congo eSIM
A 5 GB DR Congo eSIM costs £29.99 for 30 days on Airtel with 5G. Plans start at £4.99 for 500 MB a day. Delivered by email in seconds.
Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kisangani and Matadi each have their own pace, and Airtel is the network your eSIM connects you to there. Keep WhatsApp handy for chats back home, and check your maps whenever you need a route.
- 5G and 4G
- 1 network: Airtel
- Top up anytime
- Instant email delivery
Your DR Congo eSIM in two questions
Which DR Congo eSIM plan do I need?
Match the plan to your trip length and how you'll use your phone.
- A three-day city break in Kinshasa: Messages, maps and a few social posts add up to about 2.1 GB, so pick 3 GB for 15 days. It gives you room and then some.
- A week exploring Kisangani and Matadi: Social posts, music and some video come to about 4.9 GB, so pick 5 GB for 30 days.
- A fortnight touring Lubumbashi and beyond: Standard use is about 9.8 GB, so 10 GB for 30 days gives you room to explore. If your route crosses into a neighbouring country, the Africa 21 countries bundle also covers DR Congo.
- A long stay of 30 days: Streaming and hotspot use over a month adds up to about 54 GB, so 2 GB a day for 30 days keeps you going.
Most plans can be topped up, and the longest plan runs for 30 days.
All 48 DR Congo eSIM plans
Prices include any taxes. Price per GB shown so you can compare at a glance.
| Data | Valid for | Price | Per GB | Top-up | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB · 7 days | £6.99 / €8.99 / $8.99 | £6.99 / €8.99 / $8.99 | Choose | ||
| 3 GB · 15 days | £17.99 / €21.99 / $22.99 | £6.00 / €7.33 / $7.66 | Choose | ||
| 3 GB · 30 days | £18.99 / €22.99 / $24.99 | £6.33 / €7.66 / $8.33 | Choose | ||
| 5 GB · 30 days | £29.99 / €34.99 / $37.99 | £6.00 / €7.00 / $7.60 | Choose | ||
| 10 GB · 30 days | £53.99 / €63.99 / $69.99 | £5.40 / €6.40 / $7.00 | Choose | ||
| 20 GB · 30 days | £97.99 / €116.99 / $126.99 | £4.90 / €5.85 / $6.35 | Choose |
Networks your DR Congo eSIM uses
Your eSIM joins this local network automatically, wherever you are in DR Congo.
| Country | Networks | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo | Airtel | 5G |
Good to know
- Data only: your own number keeps working for calls and texts
- Hotspot works where your phone and the network allow it
- Plans start when you first connect; install within 180 days
- Your data routes through Singapore, so some sites may show that country
- Top up the same eSIM any time, no new QR code
Travelling further?
These eSIMs cover DR Congo and more countries on one plan.
Will my eSIM have signal in DR Congo?
Your eSIM connects you to Airtel in DR Congo, and Airtel runs 5G. Your phone picks Airtel by itself, so there's nothing to choose once you land. Signal is best in big cities such as Kinshasa and Lubumbashi; much of the rest of the country has little or no coverage.
Your data reaches the internet through Singapore, a normal setup for travel eSIMs, and you can read how that works. Daily plans slow to 384 Kbps once you've used the day's allowance, so a plan with a bigger allowance keeps you at full speed longer.
How much data do you need in DR Congo?
Light: maps, messages, email (about 0.25 GB a day). Standard: plus social, music, some video (about 0.7 GB a day). Heavy: plus streaming, video calls, hotspot (about 1.8 GB a day).
3 days
- Light · about 800 MB1 GB · 7 days · £6.99 / €8.99 / $8.99
- Standard · about 2 GB500 MB a day · 5 days · £15.49 / €18.49 / $20.49
- Heavy · about 5 GB500 MB a day · 15 days · £22.99 / €27.99 / $29.99
7 days
- Light · about 2 GB500 MB a day · 7 days · £15.49 / €18.49 / $20.49
- Standard · about 5 GB500 MB a day · 10 days · £15.49 / €18.49 / $20.49
- Heavy · about 13 GB500 MB a day · 30 days · £45.99 / €54.99 / $59.49
14 days
- Light · about 4 GB500 MB a day · 15 days · £22.99 / €27.99 / $29.99
- Standard · about 10 GB500 MB a day · 30 days · £45.99 / €54.99 / $59.49
- Heavy · about 25 GB2 GB a day · 15 days · £71.49 / €85.49 / $92.99
30 days
- Light · about 8 GB500 MB a day · 30 days · £45.99 / €54.99 / $59.49
- Standard · about 21 GB20 GB · 30 days · £97.99 / €116.99 / $126.99
- Heavy · about 54 GB2 GB a day · 30 days · £142.49 / €170.99 / $184.99
How to set up your DR Congo eSIM
Install at home
On Wi-Fi, tap Install on iPhone (iOS 17.4+), scan the QR code, or type the two codes from your email.
Switch on when you land
Turn on your eSIM line, choose it for mobile data and switch Data Roaming on for that line.
You're online
Your phone joins Airtel and your plan starts. Check data left on your eSIM page.
Using your phone in DR Congo: data tips
Landing at N'djili (FIH): Install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, then switch it on when you land at N'djili (FIH) in Kinshasa or Lubumbashi International (FBM). Your eSIM runs on Airtel. Turn on data roaming for your eSIM line before you head into town.
Staying in touch: WhatsApp is the messaging app to have ready before you land. Your home number stays on for calls and texts, so people can still reach you on the number they know. Read how to keep WhatsApp and your home number working together.
Topping up: Most plans can be topped up, so if you run low mid-trip, you can add more data to the plan you have.
Daily plans: Once your daily allowance is used up, speed drops to 384 Kbps, so pace your data across each day and save the big downloads for Wi-Fi.
DR Congo eSIM questions
How much is an eSIM for DR Congo?
DR Congo eSIMs start at £4.99 for 500 MB a day over 1 day. A 5 GB plan for 30 days costs £29.99. Prices include any taxes and show in pounds, euros or dollars.
Which networks does the DR Congo eSIM use?
Your eSIM connects to Airtel in DR Congo, with 5G where the network has it. Your phone picks the strongest signal automatically.
When does my DR Congo eSIM start?
Most plans start the moment your eSIM first connects to a network in DR Congo, so you can buy and install it at home before you fly. Install it within 180 days of buying.
Can I top up my DR Congo eSIM?
Yes. Most DR Congo plans can be topped up from your eSIM page in two taps, with no new QR code. The plan table on this page shows which ones.
Why does my IP address show another country?
DR Congo plans route your data through Singapore, a normal setup for travel eSIMs. Websites and apps may show that country's content; your speed and coverage in DR Congo are not affected.
Does it come with a phone number?
Every eSIMology plan is data only. Keep your own SIM switched on for calls and texts, and use WhatsApp, FaceTime or any calling app over your eSIM's data.
What if my plans change?
Cancel an eSIM you haven't installed within 30 days for a full refund to your card, in two taps from your eSIM page.
Is there 5G in DR Congo?
Yes, Airtel runs 5G in DR Congo, so your eSIM can use it where the network reaches. Coverage varies between towns and areas, so check your bars once you land in Kinshasa or Lubumbashi.
Can I use WhatsApp in DR Congo on my eSIM?
Yes, WhatsApp is the messaging app to use in DR Congo, and your eSIM data carries your messages just as it does at home. Send texts and photos from Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kisangani or Matadi.
Will my eSIM work at N'djili airport in Kinshasa?
Yes, Airtel is the network your eSIM uses at N'djili (FIH), the airport serving Kinshasa, once data roaming is switched on. Install the eSIM before you fly, then land and switch it on.
Can I use my DR Congo eSIM as a hotspot in Lubumbashi?
Yes, you can share your eSIM data as a hotspot in Lubumbashi, and a laptop on hotspot uses data quickly. Heavy use, including hotspot, comes to about 1.8 GB a day, so pick a plan with headroom.
Which Africa eSIM covers DR Congo?
The Africa eSIM for 21 countries covers DR Congo, as does the Africa eSIM for 29 countries. Pick whichever suits the countries on your route. For wider trips, the Global eSIM covers 117 countries.
Does DR Congo have a fair use speed limit on eSIM data?
Yes. Once your daily allowance runs out, data slows to 384 Kbps, which is enough for WhatsApp messages and basic maps. Choose a daily allowance that suits your busiest day, not your quietest.
Ready for DR Congo?
Buy now, install today, and your plan waits until you land. Full refund if not installed.