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Rwanda eSIM
A 5 GB Rwanda eSIM costs £39.99 for 30 days on Airtel on 4G. Plans start at £5.99 for 500 MB a day. Delivered by email in seconds.
From Kigali to Rubavu on Lake Kivu, your eSIM runs on Airtel's 4G network, so you can message on WhatsApp and book a Bolt ride without hunting for a local SIM. Pick a plan that matches how long you stay and how much you use your phone.
- 4G speeds
- 1 network: Airtel
- Top up anytime
- Instant email delivery
Your Rwanda eSIM in two questions
Which Rwanda eSIM plan do I need?
Match your trip length and how you use your phone, and the right plan becomes clear.
- A long weekend in Kigali: Three days of maps, WhatsApp, Bolt rides, social media and music suits 3 GB for 15 days.
- Two weeks touring the parks and lake: A fortnight of standard use, from Akagera National Park to Nyungwe National Park and Rubavu on Lake Kivu, suits 10 GB for 30 days.
- A full month in Rwanda: A month of standard use, with social media, music and some video, suits 20 GB for 30 days.
- Crossing a border: If your trip takes you into a neighbouring country, the Africa bundle covers 21 countries, Rwanda included.
Most plans can be topped up, so you can add data if your trip runs longer than planned.
All 48 Rwanda 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 | £9.99 / €10.99 / $11.99 | £9.99 / €10.99 / $11.99 | Choose | ||
| 3 GB · 15 days | £23.99 / €28.99 / $30.99 | £8.00 / €9.66 / $10.33 | Choose | ||
| 3 GB · 30 days | £25.99 / €30.99 / $32.99 | £8.66 / €10.33 / $11.00 | Choose | ||
| 5 GB · 30 days | £39.99 / €47.99 / $51.99 | £8.00 / €9.60 / $10.40 | Choose | ||
| 10 GB · 30 days | £71.99 / €86.99 / $93.99 | £7.20 / €8.70 / $9.40 | Choose | ||
| 20 GB · 30 days | £147.99 / €176.99 / $191.99 | £7.40 / €8.85 / $9.60 | Choose |
Networks your Rwanda eSIM uses
Your eSIM joins this local network automatically, wherever you are in Rwanda.
| Country | Networks | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Rwanda | Airtel | 4G |
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 Rwanda and more countries on one plan.
Will my eSIM have signal in Rwanda?
Your eSIM runs on Airtel, a 4G network, and your phone picks it up by itself, so there is nothing to switch on. Kigali and main towns are well covered; signal can be patchy in national parks and rural hills.
Your data reaches the internet through Singapore, a normal setup for travel eSIMs. You can read more in our guide to IP addresses in another country. If you choose a daily plan, it slows to 512 Kbps once that day's allowance is used up.
How much data do you need in Rwanda?
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 · £9.99 / €10.99 / $11.99
- Standard · about 2 GB500 MB a day · 5 days · £20.99 / €24.99 / $27.49
- Heavy · about 5 GB500 MB a day · 15 days · £31.49 / €37.49 / $40.49
7 days
- Light · about 2 GB500 MB a day · 7 days · £20.99 / €24.99 / $27.49
- Standard · about 5 GB500 MB a day · 10 days · £20.99 / €24.99 / $27.49
- Heavy · about 13 GB1 GB a day · 15 days · £51.49 / €61.99 / $66.99
14 days
- Light · about 4 GB500 MB a day · 15 days · £31.49 / €37.49 / $40.49
- Standard · about 10 GB1 GB a day · 15 days · £51.49 / €61.99 / $66.99
- Heavy · about 25 GB2 GB a day · 15 days · £96.49 / €115.99 / $125.49
30 days
- Light · about 8 GB500 MB a day · 30 days · £61.99 / €74.49 / $80.49
- Standard · about 21 GB1 GB a day · 30 days · £102.49 / €122.99 / $133.49
- Heavy · about 54 GB2 GB a day · 30 days · £192.49 / €230.99 / $250.49
How to set up your Rwanda 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 Rwanda: data tips
- Land and switch on: Install your eSIM at home on Wi-Fi. When you land at Kigali International (KGL), switch it on and turn on data roaming for the eSIM line.
- Get a ride: Bolt is the ride app to use here, so have your data on before you order one.
- Stay in touch: Message people on WhatsApp over your eSIM. Your home number stays on for calls and texts, and this guide shows you how to keep both.
- Your data: Airtel is the network here, and it runs on 4G. A standard week of use is about 4.9 GB. Most plans can be topped up. Once you use up your daily allowance, speeds drop to 512 Kbps.
- Off the beaten track: Heading to Akagera National Park or Nyungwe National Park? Check your data needs before you go.
Rwanda eSIM questions
How much is an eSIM for Rwanda?
Rwanda eSIMs start at £5.99 for 500 MB a day over 1 day. A 5 GB plan for 30 days costs £39.99. Prices include any taxes and show in pounds, euros or dollars.
Which networks does the Rwanda eSIM use?
Your eSIM connects to Airtel in Rwanda. Your phone picks the strongest signal automatically.
When does my Rwanda eSIM start?
Most plans start the moment your eSIM first connects to a network in Rwanda, so you can buy and install it at home before you fly. Install it within 180 days of buying.
Can I top up my Rwanda eSIM?
Yes. Most Rwanda 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?
Rwanda 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 Rwanda 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 Rwanda?
No. Airtel runs on 4G in Rwanda, so your phone will show 4G rather than 5G, and that's what you'll use for maps, messages and browsing in Kigali.
How much data do I need for a week in Rwanda?
For a week of maps and messages, about 1.8 GB is enough. Add social media, music and some video and that's about 4.9 GB a week. Heavy use with streaming and hotspot comes to about 12.6 GB a week.
Can one eSIM cover Rwanda and other countries in Africa?
Yes. Rwanda is one of the 21 countries covered by the Africa eSIM, so one eSIM can cover a multi-stop trip. Check the Africa 21-country eSIM page for its plans.
Which ride app should I use in Rwanda?
Bolt is the ride app to have ready in Rwanda. Download it before you fly, so it's on your phone when you leave Kigali International (KGL) for Kigali.
Can I use WhatsApp in Rwanda?
Yes, WhatsApp is the messaging app to use in Rwanda, and your eSIM data carries your messages and photos. Keep it handy for group chats as you move between Kigali and Rubavu.
Does my eSIM slow down after a daily limit in Rwanda?
Yes, once you've used your daily allowance, speed drops to 512 Kbps. Pick a daily allowance that matches your day, and heavy streaming days may need a bigger one.
Ready for Rwanda?
Buy now, install today, and your plan waits until you land. Full refund if not installed.