Angola
Best SIM and eSIM for Angola: data plans, Wi‑Fi and phone tips
Buy a Unitel prepaid SIM at an official shop (passport needed) for the best value; eSIMs exist but are limited and costly, so skip them unless you need instant activation. Change if you find a reliable eSIM provider with local rates.
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GuideAngola
Key facts
- Main carriers
- Unitel, Africell, Movicel
- Best coveragecheck
- Unitel along main roads
- eSIM availabilitycheck
- Limited, higher price
- Country code
- +244
- Typical prepaid costcheck
- ≈ 5 USD for 1 GB (2026 estimate)
Quick answer
For most travellers, the cheapest and most reliable option is a Unitel prepaid SIM bought in Luanda or at the airport. eSIMs are offered by a few operators but cost about twice as much per GB and have limited coverage.
How to get a SIM
Visit an official Unitel shop (e.g., Unitel Casa de Vendas) with your passport. Staff will register the SIM to your ID and activate it on the spot. You receive a QR code for data top‑up, which can be bought in 1 GB increments.
Africell and Movicel also sell prepaid SIMs, but coverage is weaker outside major cities.
- Bring passport (required for registration).
- Buy a 1 GB starter pack (≈ 5 USD).
- Top up via USSD (*101*amount#) or the Unitel app.
eSIM options
Unitel launched an eSIM pilot in 2025; the profile is sold through the Unitel website and costs about 10 USD for 1 GB. Africell and Movicel do not yet support eSIM.
Because eSIMs are pricier and coverage mirrors the physical network, most travellers prefer a physical SIM unless they need immediate activation before arrival.
- Check Unitel eSIM portal for current rates (check).
- Ensure your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM (check).
Does my phone work in Angola?
Angola uses GSM 900 / 1800 MHz bands for 2G/3G and LTE Band 3 (1800 MHz). Most modern smartphones support these frequencies. 5G is not yet deployed.
- If your phone lists LTE Band 3, it will work with Unitel, Africell and Movicel.
- Older 2G‑only phones can still make calls and send SMS, but data will be very slow.
Is Wi‑Fi easy to find?
Wi‑Fi is common in hotels, cafés and some restaurants in Luanda, Huambo and Lubango. Public Wi‑Fi is limited outside major cities; rely on your SIM for data when traveling on main roads.
- Hotels: free or paid Wi‑Fi in lobby and rooms.
- Cafés: often free for a limited time (30 min).
- Airports: paid Wi‑Fi, usually 1 USD per hour.
Questions people ask
What is the best eSIM for Angola?
Unitel’s eSIM is the only option, costing about 10 USD per GB and offering the same coverage as its physical SIM. It is pricier than a prepaid SIM, so most travellers choose a Unitel physical SIM.
Does my phone work in Angola?
If your phone supports GSM 900/1800 MHz and LTE Band 3 (1800 MHz), it will work with all three main carriers. 5G is not available yet.
Is Wi‑Fi easy to find in Angola?
Wi‑Fi is available in hotels, cafés and some restaurants in major cities, but it is scarce in rural areas. A local SIM is the most reliable way to stay connected on the road.
Can I use foreign credit cards to buy data?
Foreign cards work at some hotels and larger shops, but most SIM shops accept cash only. Bring enough USD or local Kwanza for top‑ups.
Do I need to register my SIM?
Yes. Angolan law requires registration with a passport at the point of sale. The process takes a few minutes.
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Deep dive
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