# Malawi eSIM

> A 5 GB Malawi eSIM costs £36.99 for 30 days on Airtel on 4G. Plans start at £6.99 for 500 MB a day. Delivered by email in seconds.

Malawi's network is Airtel, and your eSIM uses its 4G. Whether you're in Lilongwe or Blantyre, or heading out to Zomba, Mzuzu or Lake Malawi, you can keep WhatsApp chats going and check maps from the one phone you already carry.

- Shop: eSIMology (esimology.com), travel eSIM data plans
- Delivery: instant, by email and on the order page, with a QR code, a one-tap install link for iPhone (iOS 17.4+) and manual codes
- Checkout: guest checkout, Apple Pay, Google Pay and cards; prices in GBP, EUR or USD including any taxes
- Refunds: an eSIM never installed can be cancelled within 30 days for a full refund to the card
- Plans are data only (no phone number); most start when the eSIM first connects at the destination
- Coverage: Malawi; speed up to 4G
- Unlimited and daily plans: full speed up to the daily allowance, then 512 Kbps after 500MB/day
- Internet traffic routes through: SG
- Install within 180 days of purchase
- URL: https://esimology.com/esim/malawi

## Plans

### Data plans

| Data | Valid for | Price (GBP / EUR / USD) | Per GB | Top-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | £8.99 / €10.99 / $10.99 | £8.99 | yes |
| 3 GB | 15 days | £22.99 / €26.99 / $28.99 | £7.66 | yes |
| 3 GB | 30 days | £23.99 / €28.99 / $30.99 | £8.00 | yes |
| 5 GB | 30 days | £36.99 / €43.99 / $47.99 | £7.40 | yes |
| 10 GB | 30 days | £72.99 / €87.99 / $94.99 | £7.30 | yes |
| 20 GB | 30 days | £136.99 / €163.99 / $177.99 | £6.85 | yes |

### Daily data plans

| Data | Valid for | Price (GBP / EUR / USD) | Per GB | Top-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 MB a day | 1 day | £6.99 / €8.99 / $8.99 | – | no |
| 500 MB a day | 3 days | £19.99 / €23.99 / $25.99 | £13.65 | no |
| 500 MB a day | 5 days | £26.99 / €31.99 / $34.99 | £11.06 | no |
| 500 MB a day | 7 days | £26.99 / €31.99 / $34.99 | £7.90 | no |
| 500 MB a day | 10 days | £26.99 / €31.99 / $34.99 | £5.53 | no |
| 500 MB a day | 15 days | £39.99 / €47.99 / $51.99 | £5.46 | no |
| 500 MB a day | 30 days | £79.49 / €95.49 / $103.49 | £5.43 | no |
| 1 GB a day | 1 day | £7.99 / €9.99 / $9.99 | £7.99 | yes |
| 1 GB a day | 3 days | £22.99 / €26.99 / $29.99 | £7.66 | yes |
| 1 GB a day | 5 days | £30.49 / €36.49 / $39.99 | £6.10 | yes |
| 1 GB a day | 7 days | £30.49 / €36.49 / $39.99 | £4.36 | yes |
| 1 GB a day | 10 days | £30.49 / €36.49 / $39.99 | £3.05 | yes |
| 1 GB a day | 15 days | £45.49 / €54.49 / $59.49 | £3.03 | yes |
| 1 GB a day | 30 days | £90.99 / €108.99 / $117.99 | £3.03 | yes |
| 2 GB a day | 1 day | £16.99 / €19.99 / $21.99 | £8.49 | yes |
| 2 GB a day | 3 days | £49.99 / €59.99 / $64.99 | £8.33 | yes |
| 2 GB a day | 5 days | £67.49 / €80.99 / $87.49 | £6.75 | yes |
| 2 GB a day | 7 days | £67.49 / €80.99 / $87.49 | £4.82 | yes |
| 2 GB a day | 10 days | £67.49 / €80.99 / $87.49 | £3.37 | yes |
| 2 GB a day | 15 days | £100.99 / €120.99 / $130.99 | £3.37 | yes |
| 2 GB a day | 30 days | £201.49 / €241.49 / $261.49 | £3.36 | yes |
| 3 GB a day | 1 day | £28.99 / €34.99 / $37.99 | £9.66 | yes |
| 3 GB a day | 3 days | £86.99 / €103.99 / $112.99 | £9.67 | yes |
| 3 GB a day | 5 days | £117.49 / €140.99 / $152.99 | £7.83 | yes |
| 3 GB a day | 7 days | £117.49 / €140.99 / $152.99 | £5.59 | yes |
| 3 GB a day | 10 days | £117.49 / €140.99 / $152.99 | £3.92 | yes |
| 3 GB a day | 15 days | £176.49 / €211.49 / $228.99 | £3.92 | yes |
| 3 GB a day | 30 days | £351.99 / €421.99 / $457.49 | £3.91 | yes |
| 5 GB a day | 1 day | £37.99 / €44.99 / $48.99 | £7.60 | yes |
| 5 GB a day | 3 days | £111.99 / €133.99 / $145.99 | £7.47 | yes |
| 5 GB a day | 5 days | £152.49 / €182.49 / $197.99 | £6.10 | yes |
| 5 GB a day | 7 days | £152.49 / €182.49 / $197.99 | £4.36 | yes |
| 5 GB a day | 10 days | £152.49 / €182.49 / $197.99 | £3.05 | yes |
| 5 GB a day | 15 days | £228.49 / €273.49 / $296.49 | £3.05 | yes |
| 5 GB a day | 30 days | £455.99 / €546.49 / $592.49 | £3.04 | yes |
| 10 GB a day | 1 day | £45.99 / €54.99 / $58.99 | £4.60 | yes |
| 10 GB a day | 3 days | £135.99 / €162.99 / $175.99 | £4.53 | yes |
| 10 GB a day | 5 days | £184.49 / €221.49 / $239.99 | £3.69 | yes |
| 10 GB a day | 7 days | £184.49 / €221.49 / $239.99 | £2.64 | yes |
| 10 GB a day | 10 days | £184.49 / €221.49 / $239.99 | £1.84 | yes |
| 10 GB a day | 15 days | £276.49 / €331.49 / $359.49 | £1.84 | yes |
| 10 GB a day | 30 days | £552.99 / €662.99 / $718.49 | £1.84 | yes |

## Networks

- Malawi: Airtel (4G)

## How much data do I need for Malawi?

Start with how long you're staying, then how much you'll use your phone each day.

- **A 3-day city break in Lilongwe:** Standard use, with social media, music and some video, suits 1 GB a day for 3 days.
- **A week touring Malawi:** Standard use over 7 days suits 5 GB for 30 days, so you can plan a trip from Zomba to Mzuzu on one eSIM.
- **A 14-day tour of Malawi and a neighbour:** Standard use over 14 days suits 10 GB for 30 days. For a trip that goes further, the [Africa bundle for 21 countries](/esim/africa-21-countries) is the one to check.
- **A 30-day business stay in Blantyre:** Heavy use, with streaming and hotspot, suits 2 GB a day for 30 days.

Most plans can be topped up, and the longest plan runs for 30 days.

## Will my eSIM have signal in Malawi?

Airtel is the network your eSIM joins in Malawi, and it runs on 4G. Your phone picks it up by itself, so there's nothing to switch on. Signal is best in the main cities and towns, and can be patchy in remote areas.

Your data reaches the internet through Singapore, which is a normal setup for travel eSIMs. Read more on the [IP address help page](/help/ip-address-another-country). Daily plans slow to a lower fair-use speed once you've used the day's allowance, so pick a fixed plan if you plan to stream a lot.

## Using your phone in Malawi: data tips

- **Land and switch on:** Install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi, then switch it on when you land at Kamuzu International (LLW) or Chileka (BLZ). Keep data roaming on for the eSIM line; the [data roaming guide](/help/turn-on-data-roaming) shows you how.
- **Your network:** Your eSIM runs on Airtel's 4G network, and there's no 5G here. Light use, like maps and messages, is about 0.25 GB a day, while standard use with social media, music and some video is about 0.7 GB.
- **Staying in touch:** Have WhatsApp ready for messages. Your home number stays on for calls and texts, and [WhatsApp and your home number](/help/keep-whatsapp-and-home-number) explains how to keep both.
- **Fair use:** Once your daily allowance is used, speeds drop to 512 Kbps. Most plans can be topped up if you need more.

## Questions

### How much is an eSIM for Malawi?

Malawi eSIMs start at £6.99 for 500 MB a day over 1 day. A 5 GB plan for 30 days costs £36.99. Prices include any taxes and show in pounds, euros or dollars.

### Which networks does the Malawi eSIM use?

Your eSIM connects to Airtel in Malawi. Your phone picks the strongest signal automatically.

### When does my Malawi eSIM start?

Most plans start the moment your eSIM first connects to a network in Malawi, so you can buy and install it at home before you fly. Install it within 180 days of buying.

### Can I top up my Malawi eSIM?

Yes. Most Malawi 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?

Malawi 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 Malawi 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.

### What should I do first when I land in Malawi?

Land at Kamuzu International (LLW) or Chileka (BLZ), then turn on data roaming for your eSIM line. It's an easy step to forget, so set a reminder on your phone before you fly.

### Is there 5G in Malawi?

No. Malawi's mobile networks run on 4G, so your eSIM will connect on 4G even if your phone supports 5G. Your phone will show 4G while you're there, so don't worry if the 5G symbol doesn't appear.

### Can I use WhatsApp in Malawi on my eSIM?

Yes, WhatsApp is the messaging app to plan around in Malawi, and it runs on your eSIM's mobile data like any other app. Set it up at home before you fly, then open it when you land.

### Which Africa eSIM covers Malawi?

The Africa 21-country eSIM and the Africa 29-country eSIM both cover Malawi, so either suits a trip that takes in more than one country. For longer journeys, the Global eSIM covers 117 countries.

### Can I buy an eSIM for a short trip to Malawi?

Yes. Plans run from one day up to 30 days, so you can match the length of your trip. A long weekend in Lilongwe or a few days around Lake Malawi suits a short plan.

### What should I do for a road trip from Lilongwe to Lake Malawi?

Download offline maps before you leave Lilongwe, so you aren't relying on data for directions. Save video for Wi-Fi and keep your eSIM data for messages and updates from home.