Ghana: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Ghana is one of the more popular travel destinations in (West) 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 Ghana?

You can get an eSIM for Ghana for as little as 9 USD and up to 79 USD from Airalo (Fifi Mobile) and Holafly.

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

Original publication: 2^nd of November 2022. Last updated: 7^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

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

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

• Airalo Ghana Fifi Mobile eSIM with five choices between 1 GB and 10 GB (top pick)
• Holafly Ghana eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 15 GB (generous data eSIMs – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
• Nomad Global eSIM with six choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (extensive global coverage (109 or 139 countries) at high(er) prices – use code ADU123 for 3 USD off)

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 (Ghana-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 Ghana 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo Fifi Mobile eSIM for Ghana

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 Ghana: Fifi Mobile.

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 Ghana, the Airalo Fifi Mobile eSIM uses the Vodafone Ghana network up to 4G/LTE.

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

1. Ghana/Fifi Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 5 USD
2. Ghana/Fifi Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 9 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Ghana/Fifi Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 11.50 USD
4. Ghana/Fifi Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 17 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Ghana/Fifi Mobile 10 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 29 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 30^th 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 Ghana 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 Ghanaian 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).

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 connections with the Airalo Ghana Fifi Mobile eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.

That is because you are roaming on the Vodafone Ghana 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 Ghana Fifi Mobile 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).

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Holafly eSIM for Ghana

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 Ghana… yet.

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 Ghana eSIM (which uses the Vodafone Ghana network):

1. Ghana 2.5 GB eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Ghana 3.5 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
3. Ghana 5 GB eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Ghana 7.5 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
5. Ghana 10 GB eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Ghana 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD

Note: Phone Travel Wiz reader popularity ranking was updated in December based on data up to the 30^th of December (2023 data only).

As expected, you cannot use 5G NR (yet) with the Holafly Ghana 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 Ghana 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 Ghana eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

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Local Ghanaian 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 four mobile operators in Ghana: MTN Ghana, Vodafone Ghana, AirtelTigo & Glo Ghana.

Currently, no Ghanaian mobile operator offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

For more information about the plans offered by the Ghanaian mobile operators, check out my Ghana SIM card buying guide.

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International eSIM for Ghana & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Ghana travel eSIM options offered by Airalo and Holafly.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Ghana and not in neighboring Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, or Togo.

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 and Nomad have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Ghana too.

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

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Nomad Global eSIM

Besides Nomad's eSIM for Ghana, it also has a global eSIM that can be used in Ghana and a total of 109/139 countries (including most European ones).

While Nomad's Global eSIM covers a few more countries than Airalo's Discover(+) eSIMs (109/139 vs. 130 (previously 85+)), it is significantly more expensive than Airalo (but not the most costly global eSIM in this guide).

Even so, Phone Travel Wiz readers have shown interest in this eSIM and have had positive experiences with it, especially after Nomad improved it (with its 139 Country Plan powered by eSIM Go (has 5G NR access in 50+ countries) instead of the 109 Country Plan by Truphone (4G/LTE only).

Anyway, you have these six Nomad Global eSIMs:

1. Global (109 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 25 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Global (139 Countries Plan) 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 19 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Global (109 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Global (139 Countries Plan) 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 40 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
5. Global (109 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 45 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
6. Global (139 Countries Plan) 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 57 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 30^th of December (2023 data only).

The Nomad Global eSIM can be used in the following 109 (Truphone)/139 (eSIM Go) countries:

¹ 109 Countries Plan (Truphone) only
² 139 Countries Plan (eSIM Go) only
³ 5G NR access (if you have the 139 Countries Plan (eSIM GO) – does not apply to the 109 Countries Plan (Truphone)

Remember to use code ADU123 for 3 USD/2.75 EUR/2.35 GBP/4 CAD off your first Nomad purchase!

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

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

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

• Airalo Ghana Fifi Mobile eSIM (top pick)
• Holafly Ghana eSIM
• Nomad Global eSIM (extensive global coverage (109/139 countries) at high(er) prices)

Remember to use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for Holafly eSIMs, and code ADU123 for Nomad eSIMs – a code is unnecessary for Airalo eSIM purchases.

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Buying a SIM Card in Ghana

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

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