Sierra Leone: Best Tourist eSIMs Reviewed (2024)

Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone?

You can get an eSIM for Sierra Leone for as little as 9.50 USD and up to 77 USD from Africell Sierra Leone, Airalo (Buncenet) & Holafly.

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

Original publication: 18^th of December 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 four eSIM options in Sierra Leone (and explain why they are included).

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

• Airalo Sierra Leone Buncenet eSIM with four choices between 1 GB and 5 GB (top pick)
• Holafly Sierra Leone eSIM with three choices between 3 GB and 15 GB – 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 (Sierra Leone-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 Sierra Leone 😜).

Let's truly get started, shall we?

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Airalo Buncenet eSIM for Sierra Leone

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 Sierra Leone: Buncenet.

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 Sierra Leone, the Airalo Buncenet eSIM uses the Zain Sierra Leone network up to 4G/LTE (no 5G NR yet).

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

1. Sierra Leone/Buncenet 1 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 9.50 USD
2. Sierra Leone/Buncenet 2 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 12.50 USD
3. Sierra Leone/Buncenet 3 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 17 USD
4. Sierra Leone/Buncenet 5 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 26 USD

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 Buncenet eSIM through the Airalo website or apps.

So if you need 5 GB of data, you can purchase the Buncenet 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 Sierra Leone soon, as it did for many other countries it supports.

I can already tell you that Airalo has the cheapest eSIM options for Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leonean 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 Sierra Leone Buncenet eSIM, your speeds will most likely not be faster than someone using a local SIM card.

That is because you are roaming on the Zain Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone Buncenet 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).

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Holafly eSIM for Sierra Leone

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 Sierra Leone… 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 three Holafly Sierra Leone eSIM (which uses the Airtel Sierra Leone network):

1. Sierra Leone 3 GB eSIM for 7 days, costing 37 USD
2. Sierra Leone 7 GB eSIM for 15 days, costing 44 USD – most popular with Phone Travel Wiz readers
3. Sierra Leone 15 GB eSIM for 30 days, costing 54 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 Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone eSIM) when you use code PHONETRAVELWIZ 😏.

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Local Sierra Leonean 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 Sierra Leone: Africell, Orange & QCell Sierra Leone.

Currently, only Africell Sierra Leone offers eSIMs to prepaid customers.

For more information about the plans offered by the Sierra Leonean mobile operators, check out my Sierra Leone SIM card buying guide.

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International eSIM for Sierra Leone & More Countries

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

As expected, these eSIMs can only be used in Sierra Leone and not in neighboring Guinea, Liberia, or West Africa.

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 a regional eSIMs covering at least 80 countries; including Sierra Leone.

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

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

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

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

• Airalo Sierra Leone Buncenet eSIM (top pick)
• Holafly Sierra Leone eSIM
• Airalo Hello Africa eSIM

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

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Buying a SIM Card in Sierra Leone

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

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