Rwanda: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Rwanda is certainly not the popular travel destination in (East) Africa.

But it still has a lot to offer.

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 Rwanda?

You can get an eSIM for Rwanda for as little as 5.50 USD and up to 79 USD from Airalo (Peace Mobile) & Holafly.

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

Original publication: 24^th of November 2022. Last updated: 8^th of March 2024.

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Table of Contents

In a Hurry? A Quick Introduction

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

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

• Airalo Rwanda Peace Mobile eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (top pick)
• Holafly Rwanda eSIM with unlimited data for 5 to 30 days (unlimited data eSIMs) – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ for 5% off)
• Airalo Hello Africa eSIM with two choices between 1 GB and 3 GB

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 (Rwanda-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 Rwanda 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo Peace Mobile eSIM for Rwanda

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 Rwanda: Peace 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 Rwanda, the Airalo Peace Mobile eSIM uses the MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda networks up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet).

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

1. Rwanda/Peace Mobile 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 8 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
2. Rwanda/Peace Mobile 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 15 USD
3. Rwanda/Peace Mobile 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 21 USD – very popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
4. Rwanda/Peace Mobile 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 33 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). The (promotional) prices were updated on the 31st of January.

I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Rwanda 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 Rwandan 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/LTE connections with the Airalo Rwanda Peace 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 MTN Rwanda & Airtel networks 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 Rwanda Peace 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 3 GB + top-ups are available) & you will have a smooth network experience (in most cases).

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Holafly eSIM for Rwanda

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.

Fortunately, unlimited data eSIMs are not fer 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.

You have the following six Holafly Rwanda eSIM options (which uses the MTN Rwanda network):

1. Rwanda unlimited data eSIM for 5 days, costing 29 USD
2. Rwanda unlimited data eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
3. Rwanda unlimited data eSIM for 10 days, costing 44 USD
4. Rwanda unlimited data eSIM for 15 days, costing 47 USD
5. Rwanda unlimited data eSIM for 20 days, costing 59 USD
6. Rwanda unlimited data eSIM for 30 days, costing 79 USD

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

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Local Rwandan 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 Rwanda: MTN Rwanda, Airtel Rwanda & KT Rwanda.

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

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

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International eSIM for Rwanda & More Countries

Okay, I went over the Rwanda travel eSIM options offered by Airalo & Holafly.

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Rwanda and not in neighboring Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, or Uganda.

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 & SimCorner have regional, global & international eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; some include Rwanda too.

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

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

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

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

• Airalo Rwanda Peace Mobile eSIM (top pick)
• Holafly Rwanda eSIM
• Airalo Hello Africa eSIM

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

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Buying a SIM Card in Rwanda

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

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