Rwanda SIM Cards: Everything You Need To Know

Visiting Rwanda soon? Make sure to know what to expect when it comes to purchasing a Rwanda SIM card.

You should be able to find an affordable SIM card pretty much anywhere in Rwanda. In fact, most data packages are relatively cheap, which makes the whole thing easier!

In this guide, we’ll explain where to buy a SIM card for Rwanda in person and online. We’ll also discuss prepaid travel SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.

Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Rwanda.

If you don’t mind not having Internet, you’ll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.

That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Kinyarwanda or French – you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Africa.

Best Rwanda SIM Cards

If you’re traveling in Rwanda, we recommend using a SIM card from MTN, Airtel, or Airalo. (I’ll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!)

That said, if you’re planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Africa, you might want to make sure to pick an option that offers coverage in other African countries.

How To Buy A SIM Card In Rwanda

You can either buy a Rwanda prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.

Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don’t recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.

That said, you won’t necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so it’s essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.

For this reason, I’d recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.

Although, this means you won’t get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase a prepaid SIM card online.

Now, let’s take a look at the data plans offered by MTN and Airtel.

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MTN SIM Cards

MTN offers three different types of tourist plans:

• 2 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 2,000 ($1.80)
• 7 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 5,000 ($4.49)
• 30 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 10,000 ($8.98)

Airtel SIM Cards

Airtel has several different prepaid plans available:

• 1.5 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 2,000 ($1.80)
• 3.5 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 3,000 ($2.70)
• 7 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 5,000 ($4.49)
• 30 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 10,000 ($8.98)
• 65 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 21,000 ($18.87)
• 95 GB, valid for 30 days for RWF 30,000 ($26.95)

Overall, we think MTN is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person.

That said, any would do if you can’t find their store!

How To Buy A Rwanda Prepaid SIM Card Online

If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.

You’ll find different SIM cards for Rwanda on Amazon. For example, Orange Holiday World SIM works in more than 100+ countries and gives you up to 10 GB of data for 14 days. Rwanda is included.

But there are many other options worth considering, so have a look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.

Browse your options on Amazon

Finally, the last option is to buy a Rwanda eSIM card or, if you’re traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Africa.

How To Buy A Rwanda ESIM Card

eSIM is a new concept allowing you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.

If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards – it’s definitely one of the best options to get data in Rwanda.

Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.

I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo, a reliable eSIM provider.

Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Rwanda.

Airalo Rwanda

If you want a Rwanda eSIM, you could purchase one on Airalo.

This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Rwanda and Africa.

I’ve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Learn more by reading our Airalo review.

Here are the options available:

• 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $8
• 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $15
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $21.50
• 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $33

Alternatively, if you’re traveling in other countries, the Hello Africa plan offers coverage in 36 countries, including Rwanda.

Here’s an overview of the options available on Hello Africa:

• 1 GB, valid for 30 days for $27
• 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $59

Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that you’ll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.

Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.

In that case, it might be because you’re connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.

When you purchase the eSIM, you’ll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.

Go to Airalo

Holafly Rwanda

Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly.

You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.

Here’s an overview of the plans for Rwanda:

• 2.5 GB, valid for 5 days for $29
• 3.5 GB, valid for 7 days for $37
• 5 GB, valid for 10 days for $44
• 7.5 GB, valid for 15 days for $47
• 10 GB, valid for 20 days for $59
• 15 GB, valid for 30 days for $79

Go to Holafly

Final Thoughts On SIM Cards In Rwanda

As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Rwanda or even an eSIM for your travels in Rwanda is pretty straightforward.

You’ll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Africa without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an African or global plan.

I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Rwanda if you wish to have data upon your arrival.

This way, you won’t need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.

However, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.

Traveling to Rwanda soon? Read one of the following blog posts:

• Congo SIM card
• Nigeria SIM card
• Liberia SIM card