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Cameroon: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Cameroon is one of the more popular travel destinations in (Central) Africa.

But international roaming will certainly not be cheap in this country (like in most countries).

So, what are your local or travel eSIM options for Cameroon?

You can get an eSIM for Cameroon for as little as 9.50 USD and up to 79 USD from Orange Cameroon, Airalo (Kamtok Telecom) & Holafly.

I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in Cameroon and 80+ other countries, including Cameroon's neighbors, for competitive rates.

Buying an eSIM for Cameroon Guide (logos of Holafly, Nomad, Hello Africa, Airalo, Kamtok Telecom & Alosim)

Original publication: 18th of December 2022. Last updated: 7th of March 2024.


Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

I will write about four eSIM options in Cameroon (and explain why they are included).

But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Cameroon without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:

Note: the promo codes mentioned above can also be used for regional and global eSIMs (they are not restricted to country-specific eSIMs only). In other news, the eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Cameroon-only, regional & global) – not in order of preference (you would have to read the complete guide to find out which eSIMs I love the most for Cameroon 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?


Airalo Kamtok Telecom eSIM for Cameroon

Airalo Logo
© Airalo

Airalo is the most popular eSIM platform, covering around 190 countries (more than any other eSIM platform out there).

That is because it is the largest and oldest eSIM platform worldwide.

Airalo has an eSIM that can be used in Cameroon: Kamtok Telecom.

Cameroon Kamtok Telecom eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

Travel eSIM providers like Airalo set up roaming agreements with local mobile operators.

But do not get too worried about the term roaming – you will not get a 3000 USD roaming bill.

What Airalo does, and basically all mobile operators do, is partner up with a local mobile operator so that their customers can still stay connected when abroad.

In Cameroon, the Airalo Kamtok Telecom eSIM uses the Orange Cameroon network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet).

Orange Logo
© Orange

Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Cameroon Kamtok Telecom eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).

  1. Cameroon/Kamtok Telecom Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 6 USD
  2. Cameroon/Kamtok Telecom Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 11 USD
  3. Cameroon/Kamtok Telecom Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 14.50 USD
  4. Cameroon/Kamtok Telecom Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 22 USD
  5. Cameroon/Kamtok Telecom Mobile 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 39 USD
Airalo Cameroon Kamtok Telecom eSIM with Prices
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.

Now, you may think this is a sad selection or that 1 GB of data is insufficient.

Both points are true… I agree – but you can make unlimited top-ups with the Kamtok Telecom Mobile eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Kamtok Telecom Mobile 1 GB eSIM and get four 1 GB top-ups.

Yes, it is a bit inconvenient for now; Airalo may offer 3 GB, 5 GB & 10 GB plans with a 30-day validity for Cameroon soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.

I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Cameroon in this guide.

What makes things even more pleasant is that you can top up your eSIM when it is expiring or when you are out of data without the need to purchase a new eSIM.

But you may think that a local SIM card or eSIM will (still) be cheaper than Airalo or any other travel eSIM.

And you are right – that is true in most cases.

However, you will have to deal with the Cameroonian SIM card registration laws.

(Why does this matter? Because hackers can steal your (critical) personal data if the mobile operator does not secure your data properly, like what happened in Australia (10 million Optus customers were affected, where info, like passport numbers, were stolen (including mine – luckily not my passport number but my boyfriend was not as lucky) or Indonesia (1.3 billion SIM card-related data was hacked)).

Most mobile operators in Africa will only sell you (overpriced) tourist SIM cards (when available) or the most expensive plans because of “mandatory new plan requirements” (which are often lies to take more of your money).

  • Find out which countries have SIM card registration regulations and what is required from you (lookup tool)
SIM Card Registration Worldwide Tool by Phone Travel Wiz

So yes, you could get cheaper plans, but the question is if you can actually get them.

Oh, you should also be aware of the following, you can get up to 4G/LTE connections with the Airalo Cameroon Kamtok Telecom eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.

That is because you are roaming on the Orange Cameroon network instead of being a native customers

But that does not mean you will have (extremely) slow speeds – just (slightly) slower than native customers.

Anyway, the Airalo Cameroon Kamtok Telecom eSIM is fantastic and is the eSIM I, and many Phone Travel Wiz readers, recommend the most.

The eSIMs are affordable, the data allowances can be tailored to your needs (1 GB only, but unlimited top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).


Holafly eSIM for Cameroon

Holafly Logo
© Holafly

Holafly is one of the many travel eSIM resellers and is one of the popular ones.

In June, they started offering unlimited data plans for some its eSIMs, making Holafly unique.

And these unlimited data eSIMs can be used in various East– and Southeast Asian countries, almost all European Union member states (except for Liechtenstein) & a few other countries, like Canada and the United States.

Unfortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are not available in Cameroon… yet.

Phone Travel Wiz x Holafly Banner

I say yet because Holafly's goal is to offer unlimited data plans for every country it covers: 150+ countries.

And I can tell you that I get positive emails multiple times a week from Phone Travel Wiz readers that have used the unlimited data plans in East- and Southeast Asia, Europe & North America; they love these eSIMs.

For now, you have only six Holafly Cameroon eSIM (which uses the MTN Cameroon network):

  1. Cameroon unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD
  2. Cameroon unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
  3. Cameroon unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD
  4. Cameroon unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
  5. Cameroon unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD
  6. Cameroon unlimited data eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD
Holafly Cameroon eSIMs
See the list above for up-to-date prices and allowances. The figures in this image may be outdated.

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Cameroon eSIM, nor can you call and text (it is a data-only eSIM).

Moreover, you cannot top up or extend the validity with the Holafly Cameroon eSIM – so you need to buy another eSIM when you are out of data or the eSIM expires; you have to purchase a new one.

But you can get 5% off each and any Holafly purchase (so it does not have to be the Cameroon eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

Holafly Travel eSIM Reviews by Phone Travel Wiz

Local Cameroonian eSIM for Prepaid Customers

If you want the best and full network experience, including being able to call and text, you want to get a local eSIM.

You have three mobile operators in Cameroon: MTN Cameroon, Orange Cameroon & Nexttel Cameroon.

Currently, only Orange Cameroon offers eSIMs.

For more information about the plans offered by Orange Cameroon, check out my Cameroon SIM card buying guide.

Buying a SIM Card in Cameroon Guide (logos of MTN, Orange & Nexttel)

International eSIM for Cameroon & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Cameroon travel eSIM options offered by Airalo and Holafly + by the local mobile operators (only Orange Cameroon in this case).

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Cameroon and not in neighboring Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria or the Republic of the Congo.

So what if you plan on visiting any of those countries, or you are on a world tour and wish to use one eSIM in multiple countries – do you have any other options?

Yes, you do. Airalo has regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Cameroon too.

So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Cameroon and other countries, including Cameroon's neighbors.


Airalo Hello Africa eSIM

Hello Africa Africa eSIM Airalo
© Airalo

Airalo also has the Hello Africa eSIM covering 26 countries with two variants: 1 GB/30 days very popular with PTW readers and 3 GB/30 daysmost popular with PTW readers.

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

Like Asia, the Caribbean, Europe & Latin America, many readers tend to visit multiple African countries, so they would rather have a travel eSIM covering multiple countries than just one.

The Hello Africa eSIM can be used in 27 countries in Africa:

  • Algeria
  • Botswana
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cameroon
  • Central African Republic
  • Chad
  • Congo, Democratic Republic of (Kinshasa)
  • Congo, Republic of (Brazzaville)
  • Eswatini (Swaziland) 1
  • Gabon
  • Ghana
  • Guinea 1
  • Guinea-Bissau
  • Ivory Coast
  • Kenya
  • Liberia
  • Madagascar
  • Malawi
  • Namibia 1
  • Nigeria
  • Rwanda
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Tanzania
  • Tunisia
  • Uganda
  • South Africa

1 on 3G only

Airalo Hello Africa eSIM Eligible Countries Map Infographic by Phone Travel Wiz (October 2023 Version)

Do you think the map above is nice, but you want a country list instead (because you do not recognize the countries on a map🗿)? You can find it in my Airalo review!

Below is an overview of how much each Hello Africa eSIM costs:

  1. Africa/Hello Africa 1 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
  2. Africa/Hello Africa 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 59 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30th of December (2023 data only). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

With the Hello Africa eSIM, you can save a lot of money by skipping the initial SIM card costs per country you visit.


Overview of the Best eSIMs for Cameroon (Airalo vs. Holafly)

I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Cameroon.

So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:

Phone Travel Wiz Approved Seal

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.


Buying a SIM Card in Cameroon

Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?

Consider getting a Cameroonian SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.

Buying a SIM Card in Cameroon Guide (logos of MTN, Orange & Nexttel)