Traveling to Sierra Leone is visiting one of the most interesting and unknown places in Western Africa. If that’s where you are traveling to, we recommend you forget about international roaming and connect to the internet with an international eSIM card. This device will let you connect to the international internet during your trip, and visit all the wonderful places Sierra Leone has to offer!
In case you are not sure about how the eSIM for Sierra Leone works, or how to get one, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the eSIM card. Let’s begin!
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Requisites to acquire and install an eSIM card for Sierra Leone
We know you are anxious to know how to get an eSIM, but before, you have to know that, since it is such a new tech, there are some requirements you must meet to buy one. We have listed them below, so you can read them and check if you can get an eSIM card:
- Make sure that your smartphone supports eSIM technology. You can check the list of eSIM-compatible devices.
- Your device also needs to be compatible with the eSIM card you are going to buy. It depends on the provider, but most of them are compatible with iPhone XS and most recent models.
- You must have an active email account.
- Once you buy your eSIM, you have to be connected to the internet to activate it properly.
- Do not activate the eSIM card before arriving at your destination.
- You are going to need a second screen, to display the QR code and scan it with your smartphone’s camera.
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eSIM card for Sierra Leone providers
Now that you have checked all the conditions you have to meet, we are going to tell you where and how you can get an eSIM card. You have to contact an eSIM provider, it can be either international or local. International providers usually offer eSIM cards for any destination, even regional eSIM cards as the eSIM card for Africa or local as the eSIM card for Botswana, and since their eSIM cards are aimed at travelers, their products won’t last so much longer than a month or two.
On the other hand, local providers offer eSIM cards for residents or travelers, that include a cellular data plan. Their products last longer than an international eSIM, but the purchasing process is a little bit more complex. Not so many travelers go down this route.
If you are traveling to Sierra Leone, the only way to obtain an eSIM card is with international providers, and they are the following.
eSIM card for Sierra Leone: data plans and prices
After all the previous information, you may want to know about the prices and data plans that each provider offers. Well, to help you save some time, we have prepared a list and a comparison table that will hopefully help you pick the option that best suits your needs.
Anyway, we also recommend you check the coverage each company offers before choosing any of them because it is a very important aspect. If you don’t have great coverage, your data plan is not going to work properly.
Holafly eSIM card for Sierra Leone
- 7 days with 3 GB at $37 USD
- 15 days with 7 GB at $44
- 30 days with 15 GB at $54
Ubigi eSIM card for Sierra Leone
- 30 days with 5 GB at $68
eSIM card providers for Sierra Leone: comparison table
| Provider | Data | Days | Price (USD) | Support | Where to buy it |
| Holafly | 15 GB | 30 | $54 | Spanish, English, and more | Web |
| Ubigi | 5 GB | 30 | $68 | English | Web, Play Store, App Store |
Characteristics of the eSIM card for Sierra Leone
In case this is the first time you hear about the eSIM card, and you are not completely sure about how it works, we recommend you read the list below, where you will find the eSIM card’s main features:
- International eSIM cards usually offer only cellular data. So, if you want to make calls or send texts, do it using apps like WhatsApp or Skype.
- If you have an Apple device, you will be able to use both the eSIM and the traditional SIM card at the same time, since your device will become a dual SIM phone.
- The eSIM card for Sierra Leone is not the only one, you can also get a regional eSIM card, like the eSIM card for Africa, that includes more countries.
- You can have more than one eSIM profile on your cellphone, but you can only use one at a time.
- You can only install it once, so if you experience any problem, do not erase it, call your provider instead.
- Some providers offer additional benefits, like Holafly, which lets you share your data with your family and friends!
- Since it is a virtual device, the delivery is free and instant!
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What about the coverage of the eSIM card for Sierra Leone?
As we already told you, the price and the data plan are not the only things that matter. It is very important to check the coverage. Why? Simple, because if the coverage is not good, your connection won’t be good either, and it will cause some problems like a connection lag or you might even end up without an internet connection in some areas.
If you want to avoid those problems, we recommend you make sure that the eSIM card you buy connects to the best networks in your destination. If it is from a great operator, like Celtel, then you will enjoy a great connection. The Holafly eSIM card for Sierra Leone connects to the Celtel network.
Celtel 4G coverage map in Sierra Leone
Local mobile operators for Sierra Leone
The local cellular operators you can find in Sierra Leone are Africell, also known as Celtel, and Orange (Sonatel). Celtel is the best because it is the only one that has excellent 4G and 3G coverage. Orange only offers 2G and 3G, in a very limited area. However, none of them offer eSIM cards for residents or travelers. So if you want to buy an eSIM card you will have to do it with an international provider.
Frequent questions about the eSIM card for Sierra Leone
You don’t have to do anything to keep your WA number, or conversations. If it is the same number, you won’t have to change it during your trip.
Once you complete the purchase, you will receive a confirmation email with the eSIM QR code. Keep in mind that once you buy the eSIM, there are no refunds.
No, it is not necessary. However, some providers may need your address to give you the eSIM. All you will need is a temporary address in Sierra Leone, like the hotel you are going to stay in during your trip.
The activation process will depend on your smartphone, but usually, all you have to do is to scan the QR code you receive in your email. Once you do that, you will have to pick the eSIM card as the data provider, turn on the data roaming, and that’s it!
