Short answer
A BaobabSIM eSIM for South Africa is an Africa regional plan that roams on a South African network. Install it at home and switch it on when you land, with data roaming on for the eSIM line. There is nothing to RICA: registration covers South African SIMs, not a foreign line roaming there.
Facts checked 25 September 2026
South Africa eSIM plans and prices
Africa regional plans, data only. They roam on a South African partner network, so turn on data roaming for the eSIM line when you land.
Prices checked 1 October 2026 · Prices in US dollars. The total, tax included, is shown before you pay.
South Africa’s networks
Four main mobile networks, and rain, which began as a data-only network and added voice calls in May 2023. 4G reached 99.5% of the population and 5G 58% in 2025. Our plans are regional and roam on a partner network.
Vodacom
Launched 5G on 4 May 2020 in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town.
MTN
Launched 5G at the end of June 2020 in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Gqeberha.
Cell C
Has used MTN’s and Vodacom’s networks since 2023 rather than its own.
Telkom
The fourth of the main mobile networks.
Where you will travel
The cities have 5G on several networks. Coverage figures count people, not land, so plan ahead for long drives and the large parks.
- Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town
- The first 5G cities: Vodacom launched here in May 2020 and MTN in June 2020.
- The Garden Route, the Kruger and the Drakensberg
- 4G reaches 99.5% of the population, but that is a count of people: check your route before long drives, and download maps before you enter a large park.
- Power cuts
- Eskom has not used load shedding since 15 May 2025. When it was frequent, towers ran on backup batteries lasting roughly 6 to 12 hours, and some sites went offline at high stages.
Arriving in South Africa
A local SIM has to be RICA-registered with your passport before it works. With the eSIM installed at home, there is nothing to register.
JNB
O.R. Tambo, Johannesburg
Several phone shops in the international terminal, including an MTN store listed as open from 6am to 10pm.
CPT
Cape Town International
MTN lists stores in both the international and the domestic arrivals halls.
Install before you fly
Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi before you fly, and keep the line switched off. When you land in Johannesburg or Cape Town, switch it on, choose it for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line only: the plan roams on a South African network, and it is prepaid, so roaming cannot add charges to it. Keep data roaming off on your usual SIM.
Install your eSIMSwitch it on when you landPhones that take an eSIM
Questions about eSIM in South Africa
Which eSIM should I get for South Africa?
One you install before the flight, so you are online on landing without a counter. Our South Africa plans are Africa regional plans: they roam on a South African network, so turn on data roaming for the eSIM line. Pick the days of your trip and the data you expect to use.
Do I have to RICA an eSIM?
Not ours. RICA registration applies to South African SIM cards and eSIMs, and visitors roaming on a foreign SIM or eSIM are outside it (section 40 of the Act). Our South Africa plans roam from abroad, so there is nothing to register.
What do I need to buy a SIM card in South Africa?
Your passport. The shop registers the SIM under RICA with your name, passport number, country of issue and an address. Proof of address is required by law only for residents, but some shops ask visitors for an accommodation booking.
Is load shedding still a problem for mobile signal?
Not at the moment. Eskom has not used load shedding since 15 May 2025, and the government news agency counted 441 days in a row without it on 4 August 2026. When it was frequent, some towers went offline once their batteries ran out.
Is there 5G in South Africa?
Yes, since 2020: Vodacom launched in May and MTN in June. The regulator reported 5G population coverage of 58% in 2025, with 4G at 99.5%.
Where can I buy a SIM card at the airport?
At O.R. Tambo there are several phone shops in the international terminal, and at Cape Town MTN has stores in both arrivals halls. You need your passport for the RICA registration.
Sources
- Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (RICA), consolidated text
- Vodacom, RICA help
- Department of Justice, statement on RICA (26 March 2026)
- ICASA, State of the ICT Sector Report (March 2026)
- Engineering News, Cell C completes its network migration (7 July 2023)
- Eskom, a year without load shedding (15 May 2026)
- SAnews, 441 days without load shedding (4 August 2026)
- TechCentral, load shedding and mobile networks (18 January 2023)
- Vodacom, 5G launch (4 May 2020)
- IntelligentCIO, MTN launches 5G (6 July 2020)
- Airports Company South Africa, O.R. Tambo shops and facilities
- MTN, O.R. Tambo store
- MTN, Cape Town international arrivals store