Ethiopia
Nationwide coverage
Data across Ethiopia — the rock churches at Lalibela, the Simien escarpment, Addis Ababa's coffee houses and the Danakil depression. Land connected.
- 5G where available
- No roaming charges
- Instant eSIM delivery
- Keep your number
eSIM + QR code emailed instantly · no physical SIM
Safaricom coverage
Your eSIM connects to Safaricom on 5G. Ethiopia's telecoms market opened to competition relatively recently after decades of state monopoly, and coverage has improved markedly as a result.
Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, Mekelle and Hawassa are covered, as are the main highways. The Simien mountains, the Danakil and the remoter south are thin to absent.
Connectivity can be interrupted nationally
Worth being straightforward about: Ethiopia has at times restricted or suspended internet and mobile data access at a national or regional level. When that happens it affects every network and every SIM in the country, local and roaming alike.
It isn't something we or any provider can work around, and it's unpredictable. If your trip depends on staying reachable, have an alternative arrangement and check current conditions before you travel.
The historic route and how much data
Most visitors follow the northern circuit — Bahir Dar, Gondar, the Simiens, Lalibela, Axum — largely by air between towns that are individually covered.
3 GB comfortably handles a fortnight on that route, given the trekking days are offline regardless.
Good to know
Questions, answered
Could my data stop working entirely?+
It's possible. Ethiopia has at times restricted internet and mobile data nationally or regionally, which affects all networks and all SIMs equally. No provider can work around it — check current conditions before travelling if you need to stay reachable.
Is there coverage in the Simien mountains?+
Very little. The escarpment and the trekking routes are largely without signal, though the towns you'd start from are covered. Plan the trekking legs as offline.
How do I install it?+
After checkout we email your eSIM and a QR code. Scan it in your phone's settings, switch the line on, and you're ready — do it before you fly and it activates when you land.
Will it work on my phone?+
Most phones from the last few years support eSIM (iPhone XS and newer, recent Samsung/Pixel). Check your phone in Settings, or use our compatibility checker.
When does my plan start?+
Validity counts from first connection in the destination, not from purchase — so you can buy and install early without wasting days.
Can I keep using my normal number?+
Yes. The eSIM is data-only and runs alongside your usual SIM, so calls and texts on your main number still work.
Networks
Your eSIM hops onto the strongest of Ethiopia’s local networks automatically — no setup, no choosing.
Coverage
Full nationwide data across Ethiopia on tier-1 partner networks.