How are roaming rates calculated?
Roaming rates are based on average per-minute call rates, per-SMS rates, and per-MB data rates from your home operator when used abroad. Actual rates vary by operator and destination. Contact your operator for exact rates before travelling.
Can I use my mobile money abroad?
Mobile money services like M-Pesa and MTN MoMo generally work only on your home network. Some operators have cross-border mobile money agreements, but it is not universal. You can still access your mobile money account via the app if you have data.
What about eSIM options?
If your phone supports eSIM, services like Airalo, Nomad, and Holafly offer data-only eSIMs for African destinations at competitive rates. This lets you keep your home SIM for calls while using an eSIM for data. Typically cheaper than roaming.
Do roaming charges apply within the same network?
Even if your operator (e.g., MTN or Airtel) operates in both countries, roaming charges still apply because each country operation is a separate entity. Some operators offer reduced intra-network roaming rates, but not all.