Why an eSIM is Recommended for Ethiopia
No Free EU Roaming
Unlike European countries, Ethiopia does not benefit from free EU roaming. Your home plan will be expensive: between $2 and $5 per MB depending on your carrier. For a one-week trip with moderate usage (browsing, social media), you can easily spend $50 to $100 on roaming.
Free WiFi vs eSIM
Free WiFi is indeed widespread in Ethiopia (hotels, cafes), but it has risks:
- Security: unsecured public networks, hacking risks
- Reliability: unstable connections, frequent dropouts
- Mobility: impossible to use while traveling (excursions, historical sites)
An eSIM offers secure and reliable connectivity everywhere, even in remote areas.
Network Coverage in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has 4G coverage in main cities thanks to two carriers:
| Carrier |
Coverage |
4G |
Market Share |
Used by |
| Ethio Telecom |
Urban areas |
Yes |
85% (historical monopoly) |
Airalo, GoMoWorld |
| Safaricom |
Urban areas |
Yes |
15% (new) |
Holafly, Saily |
Coverage by destination
- Addis Ababa: good 4G coverage in the capital
- Lalibela: variable coverage, generally good in town
- Gondar: good coverage in tourist areas
- Omo Valley: limited coverage, variable by region
- Rural areas: limited coverage, often absent in very remote areas
How to Install Your Ethiopia eSIM
- Purchase your plan (QR code received by email in 2 min)
- Install 24-48h before departure from your WiFi
- Activate upon arrival in Ethiopia (timer starts)
- Keep your home SIM for calls and texts
Compatibility: iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+, Xiaomi 12+, OnePlus 8+
Best Ethiopia eSIM 2026
<BlogSummaryTable
title="Top 5 Ethiopia eSIM 2026"
countryCode="ET"
countrySlug="ethiopia"
plans={[
{
rank: 1,
providerId: "airalo",
data: "5 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$9.50",
highlight: "Global leader + Ethio Telecom network",
promoCode: "ESIMP15",
},
{
rank: 2,
providerId: "gomoworld",
data: "10 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$8.00",
highlight: "Best value for money",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
{
rank: 3,
providerId: "holafly",
data: "Unlimited",
duration: "15 days",
price: "$47",
highlight: "Unlimited data + hotspot",
},
{
rank: 4,
providerId: "saily",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$6.20",
highlight: "NordVPN included",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
{
rank: 5,
providerId: "ubigi",
data: "5 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$9.99",
highlight: "Reliable network",
},
]}
/>
Why these providers?
- Airalo: global leader (8M+ users), Ethio Telecom network (monopoly), code ESIMP15 (-15%)
- GoMoWorld: best value for money, Ethio Telecom network, code ESIMP (-10%)
- Holafly: unlimited + hotspot, ideal for heavy users and families
- Saily: built-in NordVPN to secure public WiFi connections
- Ubigi: reliable network, good alternative option
Conclusion
For all travelers to Ethiopia, an eSIM is highly recommended as French roaming is very expensive ($2 to $5 per MB).
Best choice: GoMoWorld 10 GB at $8.00 with code ESIMP offers the best value for a typical trip.
For heavy users: Holafly unlimited eliminates any stress, even for streaming and hotspot.
Budget option: Saily 3 GB at $6.20 with VPN included remains very economical.
Ethiopia eSIM FAQ
