Africell's eSIM, free to obtain and priced by data
Africell Angola describes its eSIM as the first to enter the Angolan market and says you can switch to Africell without cost. At the time of checking, eSIM 5GB cost 3,300 kwanzas, 10GB cost 6,600, 15GB cost 9,900, 20GB cost 13,200, 30GB cost 19,800 and 50GB cost 30,000, each valid for 30 days from the moment of subscription. The page says getting the eSIM is free, that new customers receive 10 GB free and that customers who replace a SIM with an eSIM receive 3 GB free.
To get one, it says to check your phone supports eSIM by dialling *#06# from another operator and looking for an EID, then visit the nearest Africell shop with a valid identity document, naming an identity card, a passport or a driving licence, or contact the operator on WhatsApp at 950 000 123. The page does not say whether the eSIM can be bought before arrival, so plan to visit a shop or ask on WhatsApp early.
The 200 kwanza SIM, and Afrinet data from a day to 60 days
Africell's new-customer page says you pay for the top-up and not for the chip: the SIM costs only 200 kwanzas, with a 200 kwanza bonus valid for 7 days. Its Afrinet page lists data packs bought by dialling codes under *123#. At the time of checking, 400 MB for one day cost 300 kwanzas, 800 MB cost 500 and 1 GB cost 600, a 7-day pack of 4 GB cost 2,000 kwanzas, and a 60-day bimonthly pack cost 15,000 kwanzas for 25 GB, 25,000 for 50 GB, 60,000 for 150 GB and 100,000 for 200 GB.
The terms say the packs are exclusive to prepaid customers, valid on Africell's 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks in Angola, not valid in international roaming, include 14 per cent VAT and are not refundable for unused data. They also say multiple subscriptions accumulate, each keeping its own validity, and that automatic renewal is the default through digital channels and shops. The bimonthly packs are bigger than a short visit needs.
GPS, cameras and phones near government buildings
The UK Foreign Office says not to use cameras, binoculars or GPS equipment near any government buildings, and that taking photographs in the streets can draw the attention of the authorities, who may confiscate equipment. A phone is a camera and a GPS device, so switch off navigation and avoid photography near ministries, military sites and other official buildings.
It also advises not wearing expensive-looking jewellery or watches or using a mobile in public places in Luanda, and not using mobiles or laptops while in traffic in downtown Luanda, where theft from stationary or slow-moving cars is common. It says not to watch or photograph a demonstration or disturbance, and that in July 2025 there were three days of violent riots.
Thirty days visa-free for tourism, and carrying ID
The UK Foreign Office says UK visitors do not need a visa for up to 30 days for tourism, but must get a visa in advance for work, study or business, that a passport must have an expiry date at least six months after arrival and at least two blank pages, and that cash or travellers' cheques worth 5,000 US dollars or more must be declared, with a limit on what you can take out. It says you will need a certificate of yellow fever vaccination for some onward travel, including to South Africa.
It advises always carrying ID, with a certified copy of the passport photo page safest in Luanda and the originals outside Luanda and provincial capitals, and warns of an on-the-spot fine of 15,000 kwanzas without any ID. Rules differ by nationality.
Cabinda, landmines and the rainy season
The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Cabinda Province except Cabinda city, and to within 1 km of the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Lunda Norte, except at official crossings, and its update of 28 May 2026 added information about an Ebola outbreak declared in the DRC on 15 May. It says roads outside Luanda and provincial capitals are often poor, that landmines and unexploded weapons are still a problem on roads, verges and bridges, and that during the rainy season from November to April flooding can shift mines.
It advises foreign visitors outside major cities to travel in convoys of at least two vehicles and to avoid driving at night. We found no coverage map for those routes, so assume weak signal and carry offline maps, and your accommodation details.
Emergency numbers
The UK Foreign Office lists 112 for an ambulance, 118 for fire and 110 for police in Angola. Africell's help line is 19333. Africell's eSIM page describes the eSIM as a mobile plan and does not say whether voice is included. Our Angola plan page covers data before you arrive.
Networks our Angola plans use
These are the operators named on our plans for Angola, taken from the plan data, so the list follows the catalogue.
- UNITEL4G