SIM Card Namibia: The ultimative Guide for Travellers and Digital Nomads

Flexible Data Bundles

Providers in Namibia offer a wide range of plan options tailored to different usage habits. Whether you mainly use data or want to make international calls — you can easily top up your preferred plan directly from your phone. You'll definitely find a package that suits your needs.

No Unexpected Roaming Charges

With a local prepaid SIM card for Namibia, you stay in full control of your expenses. You don't have to worry about accidentally using an expensive data roaming option or having to pay for incoming calls. You only pay for what you actually use.

Easy Top-Ups

Topping up your credit in Namibia is straightforward. At supermarkets, petrol stations, or special vending machines, you can easily buy a voucher containing a code, which you then enter directly on your phone to top up your balance and activate the desired tariff options. More on this later with detailed instructions.

Provider Overview and Plan Options

Leading SIM Card Providers in Namibia

Namibia may be a vast country with a small population, but when it comes to mobile connectivity, travellers have some great options to choose from. Here we take a look at the country's leading SIM card providers and the various tariff options they offer.

MTC (Mobile Telecommunications Company)

MTC is the leading mobile network provider in Namibia, offering comprehensive network coverage throughout the country, including remote areas. With a wide range of data and voice packages, MTC has something for everyone:

• Tango: The Tango option is used as basic credit. Also known locally as "Tango per second," you use it to top up your balance before selecting one of the other tariff options or packages.
• Aweh Packages: Ideal for travelers, MTC's various Aweh tariff options offer a combination of data, free minutes, and SMS for a period of 3 to 30 days.
• Monthly Data Packages: For long-term visitors or digital nomads, there are monthly packages with various data volumes tailored to different usage needs.

Network coverage of MTC Namibia. GSM 2G (light blue), 3G (dark blue) and LTE 4G (red). Source: MTC.

TN Mobile (Telecom Namibia)

TN Mobile also offers solid network coverage, particularly in urban areas. The provider focuses on affordable rates and good deals for data and voice:

• Smartphone Combo Packages: These packages are well suited for travellers who mainly want to be online, with options ranging from daily to monthly validity.
• Voice and SMS Packages: For those planning to make a lot of calls or send SMS, there are special packages tailored exactly for that. However, these are mainly for local calls within Namibia and not necessarily for international destinations.

Network coverage of TN Mobile in Namibia. Source: TN Mobile Namibia.

Comparison of the MTC Best Prepaid Plans

Here's a quick comparison of the best MTC plan options:

Aweh YoData 30:

• Ideal for: Travelers who use large amounts of data – for example, to upload photos, work online, or connect other devices via hotspot.
• Includes:
  • 30GB data
  • 500 free minutes (local calls)
  • 150 SMS
• Validity: 30 days
• Cost: N$249 (approx. €13)
• Advantage: Best data package for longer trips through Namibia

Aweh Super:

• Ideal for: Travellers who use mobile data and internet, with the option to also make local calls in Namibia.
• Includes:
  • 3GB data
  • 700 free minutes (local calls)
  • 1,500 SMS
  • 700MB data for WhatsApp and Facebook.
• Validity: 7 days
• Cost: N$53 (approx. €2.80)
• Advantage: Best combo package for short trips in Namibia.

Aweh Oh-Yeah:

• Ideal for: Travelers who like to put together their own package, including mobile data, local calls, and SMS.
• Includes:
  • Up to 3GB data
  • Up to 720 free minutes (local calls)
  • Up to 2000 SMS
  • Up to 3000MB data for WhatsApp and Facebook
• Validity: 7 days
• Cost: from N$25 (approx. €1.30)
• Advantage: Maximum flexibility — you put together your own package
• Disadvantage: Slightly more complicated to set up

The different Aweh YoData packages from MTC offer the right solution for every need — from 500MB to 30GB of data. Packages are available from N$15.00 and are valid for 7 or 30 days depending on the size. More information on these and other Aweh offers can be found here.

eSIM in Namibia – Can I Use my eSIM in Namibia?

In short: No. Although the eSIM has been a popular option for staying online and reachable while traveling abroad for several years, things are a bit more complicated in Namibia.

Major international eSIM providers such as Airalo, Saily, or Holafly either don't offer Namibia eSIMs at all, or only with limited 3G speeds — and at significantly higher prices than a local SIM card or eSIM for Namibia.

Some travellers reported that their Airalo eSIM did not work or worked poorly in Windhoek.

Can I buy an eSIM in Namibia?

Yes. Since 2025, you can buy an eSIM directly at an MTC shop, including at the airport in Windhoek. This is the most reliable eSIM option for Namibia. However, for most travelers, a local prepaid SIM card remains the better choice, as it is cheaper, simpler, and available with full 4G/LTE access.

Is an eSIM Cheaper Than a Regular SIM Card?

No, the eSIM is more expensive. The regular physical SIM card for Namibia costs only N$20 (approx. €1), while the eSIM for Namibia costs N$90 (approx. €4.70) — that's 4.5 times as much. Since the costs for data packages are the same for both options, the eSIM is not worth it from a pricing perspective.

What Are the Advantages of an eSIM for Namibia?

An eSIM for Namibia saves you the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards — you don't have to remove your home SIM card and risk losing or damaging it.

By the way: Even if you swap out your home SIM card for the Namibian one, you can continue to use WhatsApp with your home number.

Buying and Activating Your SIM Card for Namibia

Here's where to buy your SIM card and how to activate it.

Where Can You Buy Your SIM Card?

• In the city: In larger cities like Windhoek, Swakopmund, or Lüderitz, you'll find stores and service centres from both MTC and TN Mobile.
• At the airport: Directly upon arrival in Namibia, you will find an MTC kiosk in the baggage hall and various SIM card stands from local providers in the entrance hall. We recommend the MTC shop in the entrance hall.

MTC store in the entrance hall at Hosea Kutako.

Tip for Travelers at Windhoek Airport

Do not buy your SIM card at the small MTC kiosk in the baggage claim area. Only two different "tourist SIM" packages are offered there, which are comparatively very expensive.

The "Premium Package" at the MTC kiosk, for example, has only 20GB of data and costs N$700 for 30 days! In comparison: the "Aweh YoData 30" package has 30GB of data and costs N$249…

Leave the baggage area and head into the airport entrance hall. There you'll find a proper MTC shop where you can get the affordable Aweh YoData packages with a much wider selection!

Instructions for Activating Your SIM Card and eSIM

Activation of your SIM card and eSIM normally takes place immediately upon purchase. You simply need to present a valid ID or passport to register the SIM card in your name.

SIM Card

1. Receive and insert the SIM card: Open the SIM card tray of your smartphone and insert the Namibian SIM card.
2. Activate the SIM card: In most cases, the SIM card will be activated by the seller. You will receive a confirmation once activation is complete. If necessary, turn your phone off and on again to search for the network and log in.
3. Configure internet settings: Sometimes it is necessary to adjust the APN settings of your smartphone to establish a data connection. When your phone connects to the network for the first time, you should automatically receive the APN settings via SMS.
4. Check your connection: Verify that you have a signal and that the data connection is working. Try opening a website or sending a message.

eSIM

1. Add eSIM: Go to your phone's settings and tap on "Connections / Mobile / Mobile Network." There you will find the option "Add eSIM."
2. Use QR code: Scan the QR code and follow your phone's instructions.
3. Check your connection: Verify that you have a signal and that the data connection is working. Try opening a website or sending a message.

Topping Up Your Credit and Data Bundle: How It Works

Although there are of course different processes for different providers, we will focus here on the top-up process for MTC.

MTC Tango cards are used to top up credit.

Topping Up Credit

To top up your credit, you need the 16-digit code from your voucher. There are two ways to top up:

Using USSD Codes:

1. Dial *682# to access the main menu.
2. Enter 6 (Airtime Top-up) and tap "Reply".
3. Enter 1 (Own Number) and tap "Reply".
4. Enter the 16-digit code (without the # symbols) and tap "Reply".

Via SMS:

1. Create an SMS to the number 13200.
2. Enter the 16-digit code (without the # symbols) in the text field and tap "Send".

This is what it looks like when you top up your credit using the USSD codes.

This is what the confirmation SMS looks like after the top-up process.

Selecting a Data Bundle

Once you have topped up your credit, you can select one of the many MTC packages. If you choose the Aweh YoData 30 package, for example, the booking process is as follows:

Using USSD Codes:

1. Dial *682# to access the main menu.
2. Enter 4 (Aweh) and tap "Reply".
3. Enter 2 (Aweh Subscribe) and tap "Reply".
4. Enter 3 (Aweh YoData) and tap "Reply."
5. Enter 4 (Aweh YoData 30) and tap "Reply."
6. Confirm the purchase of the selected data bundle.

Via SMS:

1. Create an SMS to the number 13400.
2. Enter awehyodata30 in the text field and tap "Send".

This is what it looks like when you purchase a data bundle using the USSD codes.

This is what the confirmation SMS looks like after purchasing your data bundle.

By the way: Packages with a 7-day validity are technically valid for 8 days. If you buy a package on 01/05/2026, for example, it will be valid through 08/05/2026. You can always check your confirmation SMS to see when your package expires.

Save the following USSD codes in case you want to check or top up your balance, add a data bundle, or have forgotten your Namibian number:

*1#: Display your Namibian number
*131#: Check balance and usage
*682#: Main menu (top up credit, buy packages)

APN Settings for a Smooth Data Connection

When your phone connects to the network for the first time, you should automatically receive the APN settings via SMS.

If you have not received them, you can send an SMS to the following numbers to receive the APN settings:

• For internet settings, send GPRS to 1251.
• For MMS settings, send MMS to 1251.

To set up the APN settings on your Android phone, follow these steps:

• Open the “Settings“ app.
• Tap on “Mobile Network” and select “Mobile Data Network”.
• Enter the following APN settings:

Name: MTC Internet
APN: internet
MCC: 649
MNC: 01
APN type: default, mms, supl, hipri, fota, cbs, mcx, xcap

If this doesn't work, your best bet is to ask a local for help.

Phone Numbers in Namibia and Abroad

With your local SIM card, you will receive a Namibian phone number. The country code for Namibia is +264 and your mobile number with MTC starts with 081, followed by seven more digits. You can be reached worldwide in Namibia with your local number, which looks like this: +264 81 123 4567.

If you can no longer remember your own Namibian number, simply dial *1# and your number will be displayed.

To call abroad, for example to Germany, Austria, or internationally, you need to use the country code of the respective country. Here are a few numbers that might be useful:

• Namibia: +264
• Germany: +49
• Austria: +43
• Switzerland: +41
• France: +33
• South Africa: +27
• Botswana: +267
• Zimbabwe: +263
• Angola: +244
• USA: +1

Additional Tips for Mobile Internet Use in Namibia

WiFi Hotspot

Your Namibia SIM card is also perfect as a mobile hotspot to connect other devices such as your laptop or camera to the internet.

If you're traveling with friends or in a group, it also helps if not everyone needs to buy their own SIM card — one hotspot can be created and shared by everyone.

Additional Data Bundle

Previously, it was not possible to use multiple Aweh packages at the same time. If your data bundle ran out before the end of the validity period, you could not add an additional package — that has changed!

Customers can now subscribe to multiple Aweh packages simultaneously. Start with any Aweh package of your choice (excluding Aweh O-Yeah) and add on Aweh Super, Aweh Yo M, Aweh Yo L, Aweh Yo 30 or Aweh Ultra 30.

Please note: each package has its own expiry date.

Conclusion and Recommendation

In this article, we have tried to describe the best options for staying well connected in Namibia. The best option naturally depends on when, where, and how much you plan to use your phone at all. With your local number you are reachable at any time and can also make calls within Namibia and abroad without hefty charges.