eSIM and SIM cards in Rwanda

The networks

• MTN Rwanda and Airtel Rwanda are the two operators. Both cover Kigali and the main roads well.
• Coverage is good by regional standards, which is a deliberate national policy rather than an accident.

The prices

• MTN publishes bundles from RWF 500 for 800 MB up to RWF 10,000 for 30 GB. In the middle, RWF 3,000 buys around 4.3 GB and RWF 7,000 around 11 GB.
• Validity differs by bundle, so read which tab you are on before buying; the same price buys different amounts on the daily, weekly and monthly tabs.
• At RWF 10,000 for 30 GB you are paying roughly seven dollars for a month of data, which makes roaming hard to justify.

Buying one

• Bring your passport. SIM registration is mandatory and is done against an identity document.
• Buy from an operator shop rather than a street vendor, so the registration is done properly and in your name.

Mobile money

• Rwanda runs on mobile money, and MTN MoMo is close to universal. It generally needs a local number and a local registration, so it is more useful on a long stay than a short one.