Gabon is certainly not the popular travel destination in (Central) Africa.
But it still has a lot to offer.
So, what are your local or travel eSIM options for Gabon?
You can get an eSIM for Gabon for as little as 8 USD and up to 36 USD from Airalo (Libreville).
I will also introduce you to a few global eSIMs that be used in Gabon and 80+ other countries, including Gabon's neighbors, for competitive rates.
Original publication: 18th of December 2022. Last updated: 5th of April 2024.
Table of Contents
In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction
I will write about two eSIM options in Gabon (and explain why they are included).
But if you want to quickly check out what the best eSIMs are for Gabon without my analysis and explanations, here is an overview of the eSIMs covered in this guide:
- Airalo Gabon Libreville eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (top pick)
- Airalo Hello Africa eSIM with two choices between 1 GB and 3 GB
The eSIM providers are in alphabetical order per grouping (Gabon-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 Gabon 😜).
Let's truly get started, shall we?
Airalo Libreville eSIM for Gabon
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 Gabon: Libreville.
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 Gabon, the Airalo Libreville eSIM uses the Airtel Gabon network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet).
Be aware: most travel eSIMs, including Airalo's Gabon Libreville eSIM, are data-only eSIMs, so you cannot call or text with them (nor can you receive any calls or SMS).
- Gabon/Libreville 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 7 USD
- Gabon/Libreville 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 13.50 USD
- Gabon/Libreville 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 18.50 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- Gabon/Libreville 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 28.50 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.
I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Gabon 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 Gabonese 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)
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 Gabon Libreville eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.
That is because you are roaming on the Airtel Gabon 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 Gabon Libreville 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 to 5 GB + top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).
- Check out my Airalo eSIM reviews
Local Gabonese 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 two mobile operators in Gabon: Airtel Gabon and Moov Africa Gabon Telecom.
Currently, no Gabonese mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.
For more information about the plans offered by the Gabonese mobile operators, check out my Gabon SIM card buying guide.
International eSIM for Gabon & More Countries
Okay, I went over the Gabon travel eSIM options offered by Airalo.
As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Gabon and not in neighboring Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, 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 & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Gabon too.
So let's see which multi-country eSIMs can be used in Gabon and other countries, including Gabon's neighbors.
Airalo Hello Africa eSIM
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 days – most 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
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:
- Africa/Hello Africa 1 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 27 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
- 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 Gabon (Airalo)
I introduced you to various travel eSIMs that can be used in Gabon.
So, which eSIM do I recommend the most? Here is my recommendation order:
Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for SimCorner eSIMs – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.
Buying a SIM Card in Gabon
Want to just use a SIM card but not your current one because roaming will be criminally expensive?
Consider getting a Gabonese SIM card instead – local SIM cards are the cheapest way to stay connected abroad.