Why an eSIM is Recommended for Malawi
No Free EU Roaming
Malawi is not in the EU. Your home plan will be very expensive. An eSIM is essential for this Southern African destination.
Benefits of a Malawi eSIM
- Massive savings: 3 GB for $10-15 vs $50+ in roaming
- Good coverage: access to Airtel and TNM networks
- Instant activation: connected as soon as you land
- No airport queues: skip SIM kiosks at Lilongwe Airport
Network Coverage in Malawi
Malawi has decent 4G coverage in urban areas:
| Carrier |
Coverage |
4G |
Used by |
| Airtel Malawi |
75% |
Yes |
Most eSIM providers |
| TNM |
70% |
Yes |
Alternative |
Coverage by Destination
- Lilongwe: good 4G coverage
- Blantyre: decent coverage
- Lake Malawi area: variable coverage
- Rural areas: limited coverage, mainly 2G/3G
How to Install Your Malawi eSIM
- Purchase your plan (QR code received by email in 2 min)
- Install 24-48h before departure from your WiFi
- Activate upon arrival in Malawi
- Keep your home SIM for calls and texts
Compatibility: iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+
Best Malawi eSIM 2026
<BlogSummaryTable
title="Top 5 Malawi eSIM 2026"
countryCode="MW"
countrySlug="malawi"
plans={[
{
rank: 1,
providerId: "airalo",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$11",
highlight: "Global leader",
promoCode: "ESIMP15",
},
{
rank: 2,
providerId: "holafly",
data: "Unlimited",
duration: "5 days",
price: "$27",
highlight: "Unlimited data",
},
{
rank: 3,
providerId: "saily",
data: "1 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$8",
highlight: "NordVPN included",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
]}
/>
Conclusion
An eSIM is recommended for Malawi as there's no free EU roaming.
Our recommendation: Airalo 3 GB at $11 with code ESIMP15.
Malawi eSIM FAQ