Why an eSIM is Recommended for Sierra Leone
No Free EU Roaming
Unlike European countries, Sierra Leone 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.
Limited Free WiFi
Free WiFi is limited in Sierra Leonean hotels and cafes, especially outside Freetown:
- Availability: limited outside the capital
- Security: unsecured public networks, hacking risks
- Reliability: unstable connections, frequent dropouts
- Mobility: impossible to use while traveling (transport, interior)
An eSIM offers secure and reliable connectivity everywhere, essential for traveling in Sierra Leone.
Network Coverage in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has variable 4G coverage in major cities thanks to two major carriers:
| Carrier |
Coverage |
4G |
Market Share |
Used by |
| Orange |
Freetown, peninsula |
Yes |
Leader |
Airalo, GoMoWorld |
| Africell |
Freetown, peninsula |
Yes |
Significant |
Holafly, Saily |
Coverage by destination
- Freetown: decent 4G coverage in the capital
- Tokeh Beach: basic 3G/4G coverage, most beautiful beach
- Peninsula: basic coverage
- Banana Islands: limited coverage
- Interior: very limited coverage
Note: Coverage is very limited outside Freetown and the peninsula. Interior regions have very limited coverage.
How to Install Your Sierra Leone eSIM
- Purchase your plan (QR code received by email in 2 min)
- Install 24-48h before departure from your WiFi
- Activate upon arrival in Sierra Leone (timer starts)
- Keep your home SIM for calls and texts
Compatibility: iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+, Xiaomi 12+, OnePlus 8+
Best Sierra Leone eSIM 2026
<BlogSummaryTable
title="Top 5 Sierra Leone eSIM 2026"
countryCode="SL"
countrySlug="sierra-leone"
plans={[
{
rank: 1,
providerId: "airalo",
data: "1 GB",
duration: "7 days",
price: "$4.50",
highlight: "Global leader + Orange network",
promoCode: "ESIMP15",
},
{
rank: 2,
providerId: "gomoworld",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$5.80",
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",
},
]}
/>
Why these providers?
- Airalo: global leader (8M+ users), Orange network, code ESIMP15 (-15%)
- GoMoWorld: Orange network, code ESIMP (-10%), best value for money
- Holafly: unlimited + hotspot, ideal for heavy users and families
- Saily: built-in NordVPN to secure public WiFi connections
Conclusion
For all travelers to Sierra Leone, an eSIM is highly recommended as home roaming is very expensive ($2 to $5 per MB) and free WiFi is limited outside Freetown.
Best choice: Airalo 1 GB at $4.50 with code ESIMP15 offers an economical solution for a short trip. For a longer stay, GoMoWorld 3 GB at $5.80 with code ESIMP is recommended.
For heavy users: Holafly unlimited eliminates any stress, even for streaming and hotspot.
Sierra Leone eSIM FAQ
