Description
Most people travelling from the UK to the Democratic Republic of the Congo are going to see family, attend a family event or work with a business or charity. Trips often centre on Kinshasa, with some visitors heading on to Lubumbashi or other cities.
Having mobile data on arrival makes the first hours simpler: you can tell relatives your flight has landed, share your location with your driver and stay on WhatsApp with home. A travel eSIM provides that data and sits beside your UK SIM in the phone, so your UK number is still there for texts while the eSIM handles messaging, maps and browsing during your stay.
Choose your Democratic Republic of the Congo data plan
There are 11 plans for Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 100MB – 1 day | £0.74 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £2.95 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £3.28 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £8.45 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £9.40 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £12.68 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £14.72 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £29.43 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £56.59 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £135.81 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £264.84 |
- Arrival day: 100MB for 1 day or 1GB for 1 day keeps you in touch while you settle in.
- Week-long visit: 1GB for 7 days covers messaging and maps for a short trip.
- Two to four weeks with family: 3GB for 15 days, or 3GB, 5GB or 10GB for 30 days if you make regular video calls home.
- Long stays and work postings: 20GB for 30 days, 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in the DRC
Most international flights arrive at N’djili International Airport in Kinshasa, some distance east of the city centre, so it helps to have data for the journey in. In the city, data is useful for messaging, sharing locations and translating French when needed.
Coverage is concentrated in Kinshasa and other large cities. Outside them, and across much of the interior, signal can be limited or absent, and power cuts can affect how you charge your phone. Download maps and save important contacts and documents to your phone before travelling outside the city.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Democratic Republic of the Congo, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Democratic Republic of the Congo and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- DRC only: this plan covers the Democratic Republic of the Congo, not the Republic of the Congo across the river in Brazzaville.
- Travel advice: the FCDO advises against travel to parts of the DRC. Check the latest FCDO travel advice before you book and before you travel.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Gabon. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Does the plan work in Brazzaville?
No. Brazzaville is in the Republic of the Congo, a separate country. Ask us if you need data there as well.
Can I use it outside Kinshasa?
The plan covers the DRC, and other large cities usually have some signal. In rural areas coverage can be limited, so plan ahead for parts of your trip without data.
When should I buy my Democratic Republic of the Congo eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
