How to Buy a SIM Card in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2026

Most people who look up mobile data for the Democratic Republic of the Congo want to know one thing: can they get an eSIM before they fly, or do they have to queue for a Vodacom, Orange, Airtel or Africell SIM in Kinshasa? You can do either. This guide explains the four networks, what you need to register a local SIM, what it costs, and the eSIM that works in the DRC as soon as you land. Our plans for the country are on the DRC eSIM page.

Two Congos: check which one you need

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Kinshasa as its capital, is a different country from the Republic of the Congo, whose capital is Brazzaville, across the river. Their networks, SIMs and rules are separate. This guide is about the DRC (RDC in French). If you are travelling to both, check that any plan you buy covers each country by name.

Vodacom, Orange, Airtel and Africell

Four operators sell prepaid SIMs in the DRC: Vodacom, Orange, Airtel and Africell. Each has official shops in Kinshasa, for example in Gombe, and sells through kiosks, including at the airport. We found no reliable 2026 comparison of their coverage, so the safest advice is the usual one for a large country: if you are going beyond the main cities, ask your hosts or employer which network works where you will be, before you choose.

Registering a local SIM

Every SIM in the DRC must be registered, and you need your original passport to do it: a photo or a scan is not enough. Bring a photocopy as well, as shops commonly ask for one. Buy from an operator's own shop or an official kiosk, so the line is registered properly in your name.

We found no source that describes how registration works at N'Djili airport itself. You may find kiosks there, but if registration is slow or the queue is long, it is better to buy in town the next day than to rely on the airport.

What a local SIM costs

The SIM card itself is cheap: about $1 to $5, according to the only 2026 figure we found, from a travel blog. We found no current operator price lists for data bundles, so ask at the shop for the passes on offer and how long each lasts.

Is there an eSIM from Vodacom or Orange RDC?

Searches for a Vodacom or Orange eSIM in the DRC are common, but the picture is unclear. A 2025 review found no Congolese operator offering eSIMs to prepaid customers; a 2026 blog says Orange RDC now supports eSIM. Neither source explains how a visitor would get one, and in either case you would still need to register in person in the DRC.

The eSIM you can set up at home is the Orange World 20GB eSIM. It covers the Democratic Republic of Congo as one of more than 90 countries: $28 for 20GB, valid 30 days from first use, with a French +33 number, 15 minutes and 50 texts. There is no KYC check and no counter: you install it before you leave, and it connects when you land.

The Vodafone Travel VIP eSIM also works in the DRC, but only at $7.50 a day on top of the $32 plan, as the DRC is one of its daily-fee countries. For a trip of more than a few days, Orange World is far cheaper. If you use little data, the Global PAYG Data eSIM costs $20 with €17.50 of credit, and you top it up in MyeSIM. To keep your bank's security codes coming while your own SIM is out, the O2 SMS Only eSIM gives you a UK +44 number for $8 a month.

Side by side

Our recommendation

For a business trip or a visit of up to a month, install the Orange World 20GB eSIM before you fly to Kinshasa. You have data from the moment you land, without the passport queue, and the same eSIM works in Congo-Brazzaville and many other countries if your trip goes on. Buy a local SIM from an operator's shop in town if you are staying for months or need a Congolese number for local calls. Set-up steps are in our eSIM installation guide, and the plans for the country are on the DRC eSIM page.