The best eSIM for Congo is a data plan sized to your days there and installed before you fly. A SimOptions Congo eSIM does that for the Republic of the Congo, the country of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. It runs at 4G/LTE speed, activates when you land and comes in sizes from 1 GB to 20 GB. It has no Congolese phone number, so you call over WhatsApp or other apps. Going to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) instead? That is a different country with its own eSIM, see below.
Which is the best eSIM for Congo?
Short on time? These Congo plans are 4G/LTE and data only. Pick the size from the days you stay.
Congo 5GB (7 days) · 10GB (7 days) · 20GB (15 days) · data only · 4G/LTE · See all eSIMs for Congo · All destinations
Republic of the Congo or DR Congo: which eSIM do you need?
Two countries share the name Congo, and they face each other across the Congo River. The FCDO notes the river border crossing between Brazzaville and Kinshasa, which can close without warning (FCDO: Congo safety and security).
- Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville): Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire. This guide and our Congo eSIMs are for this country.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC, Congo-Kinshasa): Kinshasa and the east of the country. A Congo plan does not work there. Use our DR Congo eSIM instead.
- Both on one trip: an Africa eSIM covers both countries with one eSIM (more below).
What to look for in an eSIM for Congo
- Coverage: check that the Republic of the Congo is on the country list, not only the DRC. A Congo-only plan suits a trip to Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire. A regional plan suits a trip that also crosses into Kinshasa, Gabon or other African countries.
- Data and days: both are on the plan page. A small plan fits a short business trip. For a week with maps, messages and photos, look at a bigger one.
- Speed: the plan details say whether you get 4G/LTE or 5G.
- Calls: most travel eSIMs are data only. If you need a Congolese number, a local line fits better (more below).
- Setup before you fly: you get a QR code by email and install it on Wi-Fi at home. Your phone must support eSIM and be unlocked (see how to check eSIM compatibility).
Our eSIMs for Congo: the details
Here is what the plan details on our Republic of the Congo eSIM page say:
- Sizes: 1 GB or 3 GB for 3 days, 5 GB or 10 GB for 7 days, and 20 GB for 15 days.
- Network and speed: the plans connect to Airtel, at 4G/LTE speed.
- Phone number: no. The plans are data only, with no calls or SMS.
- Activation: once installed, the eSIM activates automatically when you arrive in the Republic of the Congo. Your days start then.
- Hotspot: supported, so you can share your data with a laptop or a travel companion.
- Top-ups: available, so you can add data instead of buying a new eSIM.
- Expiry: if you don't use the eSIM within a year, it becomes invalid.
Every plan is prepaid with no contract.
How much data do you need in Congo?
It depends on how long you stay and how you use your phone. As a rough guide:
- 1 to 3 days: Congo 1GB or 3GB, both for 3 days. Enough for maps, messages and email on a short visit.
- Up to a week: Congo 5GB or 10GB, both for 7 days. Maps, social media, photos and some video calls.
- Two weeks: Congo 20GB, for 15 days. Room for video calls and sharing your connection.
- Longer than two weeks: top up your Congo eSIM when you run low.
Not sure how much you need? Pick the bigger size. Our guide to eSIM data plans shows how to estimate it, and how to reduce data usage abroad helps you stretch it.
Is there an eSIM for a short trip to Congo?
Yes. For a few days of meetings in Brazzaville or Pointe-Noire, the smallest Congo plans last 3 days. You get data for maps, messages and email without paying for a week.
Is there 5G in Congo?
MTN Congo says on its own site that it offers 5G, and that its 4G internet bundles also work on its 5G network if you are in an area with 5G coverage and have a 5G phone (MTN Congo: 5G, in French). Our Congo plans run at 4G/LTE speed, which is plenty for maps, messages, video calls and social media.
Can you make calls with a travel eSIM in Congo?
Our Congo plans are data only, so you don't get a Congolese number or call minutes. You can still call and text over WhatsApp, FaceTime and other apps, see phone calls with a data-only eSIM. Your home SIM can stay on your phone next to the travel eSIM, so you keep getting texts and bank codes on your usual number, see how to set up a dual eSIM.
Local line or travel eSIM in Congo?
Local operators in the Republic of the Congo include MTN Congo (mtn.cg) and Airtel Congo (airtel.cg). A local line gives you a Congolese number and local calls, but you set it up after you land, at the operator's shop. Ask the operator which ID it needs and whether it offers eSIM. A travel eSIM is different: you buy it online, scan a QR code at home and don't visit a shop.
Choose a local line if you need a Congolese number for a long stay or for work. Choose a travel eSIM if you want data the moment you land, and a plan you can compare and pay for before the trip.
Crossing to Kinshasa or another country in Central Africa?
A Congo plan only works in the Republic of the Congo. If your trip also takes you to Kinshasa or Libreville, our Africa eSIM covers the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon and many other African countries with one eSIM. The plans are 4G/LTE and data only, with 1 GB or 3 GB for 3 days, 5 GB or 10 GB for 7 days, and 20 GB for 15 days. The country list can change, so check it on the Africa eSIM page for every country on your route. When we checked, each Congo plan cost less than the Africa plan of the same size, so only pick Africa if you really cross borders.
Heading on to a neighbour? See our guides to the best eSIM for Gabon, Cameroon and Africa.
Africa plans · Republic of the Congo, DR Congo and many other African countries · up to 15 days · 4G/LTE · data only · See the Africa eSIMs
Using your eSIM around Congo
Our Congo page says coverage is good in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire and along the river in urban areas. Before you head out of town, download offline maps and your bookings.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) says roads in remote parts of the country may be poor, particularly in the wet season from November to May, and advises a well-maintained 4-wheel-drive vehicle, travelling in convoy and in daylight. A passenger train runs between Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, but the FCDO calls it often slow and unreliable. The ferry between Brazzaville and Kinshasa stops in the late afternoon, does not run on Sunday and may be cancelled in bad weather (FCDO: Congo safety and security). A working data connection helps you check your route and stay in touch with your driver or hotel.
Before you travel: entry rules and safety
As of November 2026, the FCDO says British citizens need a visa to enter the Republic of the Congo and must apply before travelling. Your passport must be valid for your whole stay, and you need a certificate proving you've had a yellow fever vaccination. Arrivals may also face extra health screening because of the Ebola outbreak centred in the DRC (FCDO: Congo entry requirements). Rules differ by nationality, so check with the Republic of the Congo's embassy in your country.
The FCDO advises against all travel within 50 km of the border with the Central African Republic in the Likouala Region (FCDO: Congo travel advice). It reports opportunistic crime such as pickpocketing in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, and advises not walking in the streets after dark and not carrying large amounts of cash or valuables. Police may ask for ID, so always carry a colour copy of your passport, including your visa entry stamp. At vehicle checkpoints, stay in your vehicle and show documents through a closed window (FCDO: Congo safety and security). Check your own government's advice before you book. For handy apps on the road, see our list of must-have travel apps.
How do you get an eSIM for Congo?
- Check your phone: it must support eSIM and be carrier unlocked. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > About and look for "No SIM restrictions" next to Carrier Lock (Apple: Unlock your iPhone).
- Buy and install on Wi-Fi: you get a QR code by email (Apple: Set up eSIM on iPhone). Our install guide walks you through it on iPhone and Android.
- When you land, use the travel eSIM for data: Apple notes that you might still pay roaming fees on your home line, so turn off data roaming on it (Apple: Use eSIM while traveling).
No signal after you land? Our guide on what to do when your eSIM is not activating covers the usual causes. Not sure what an eSIM is? See what is an eSIM.
FAQ
What is the best eSIM for the Republic of the Congo?
It depends on your trip. For data only, a Congo eSIM sized to your days is a simple choice: 3 GB for a few days, 5 GB or 10 GB for a week, 20 GB for two weeks. If you also visit the DRC or other African countries, look at an Africa plan. If you need a Congolese number, get a local line.
Does the Congo eSIM work in the DR Congo?
No. Our Congo plans cover the Republic of the Congo only. For Kinshasa and the rest of the DRC, get a DR Congo eSIM, or an Africa plan if you visit both countries.
Can I get an eSIM for Congo before I travel?
Yes. Buy it online, install the QR code on Wi-Fi at home, and it activates when you arrive in the Republic of the Congo.
Does a travel eSIM for Congo include a phone number?
No. Our Congo and Africa plans are data only. For a Congolese number, get a line from a local operator such as MTN Congo or Airtel Congo.
Which network does the Congo eSIM use?
Our Congo plans connect to Airtel, at 4G/LTE speed.
Is a travel eSIM cheaper than roaming in Congo?
Compare before you go. Your home carrier sets its own roaming prices for the Republic of the Congo, so check its roaming page. A prepaid Congo eSIM gives you a fixed amount of data at a fixed price, with no contract.
Does my phone need to be unlocked?
Yes. A carrier-locked phone may not accept an eSIM from another provider. Ask your carrier to unlock it before you travel.
Is there an eSIM for Congo and Gabon?
Our Africa plan covers the Republic of the Congo, Gabon, the DRC and many other African countries. Check the country list on the Africa eSIM page for every place you visit.
