Cards & Mobile Internet in Angola: Traveller's Guide

SIM Cards and Mobile Internet in Angola: What Travellers Need to Know

Which operator to choose, what it costs, and where the signal stops.

Angola's country code is +244. To call in from abroad, dial 00 244 followed by the number.

Getting connected here is cheap and quick. The one decision that matters is which operator you pick — and the answer has changed significantly in the last few years.

Choosing an operator

There are three mobile networks, but in practice you are choosing between two.

Unitel is the market leader with roughly 73% of subscriptions and around 19 million customers. State-owned since 2022, it is the only operator with genuine nationwide coverage. If your trip takes you outside the main cities, Unitel is effectively your only option.

Africell entered Angola in 2022 and now holds about 25% of the market with some 6,5 million subscribers. It is the better network where it operates — an independent nPerf study in 2026 ranked it above Unitel for mobile internet performance, and it has invested heavily in 5G. The catch is geography: Africell covers only Luanda, Icolo e Bengo, Benguela, Huíla, Huambo and Cuanza-Sul, concentrating on cities and economic corridors.

Movicel should be avoided. Its market share has collapsed to around 2% — roughly 520.000 subscribers, down by nearly two million in six years. The company has been closing shops and struggling to pay staff and suppliers, and customers report difficulty making and receiving basic voice calls. Older guides still describe it as a solid second choice. It is not.

The practical rule: if you are staying in Luanda or the coastal cities, Africell usually gives faster data. If you are travelling to the provinces, take Unitel. If you are doing both and your phone has two SIM slots, take one of each — that is what many residents do.

Buying and registering a SIM

A prepaid SIM costs very little, typically in the range of 500 to 1.000 AOA, and packages including starter data are widely available.

You can buy one at Luanda's international airport on arrival, in official Unitel or Africell shops, or from authorised resellers and small shops in most towns.

Bring your passport with a valid visa. SIM registration is mandatory in Angola, and a passport alone is generally not sufficient for a foreign visitor — the vendor needs to see your entry documentation. If you are a resident, your Cartão de Residente works.

Two practical points. Buy from an official shop or a clearly authorised reseller rather than a street vendor, so the registration is done properly — an unregistered SIM can be cut off. And check that your phone is unlocked before you leave home.

Topping up is easy. Scratch cards are sold everywhere, and you can also top up through ATMs and mobile money apps.

Emergency numbers

Save these before you travel:

• 111 — Integrated Public Security Centre (CISP), the national emergency number
• 113 — Police
• 115 — Fire and Civil Protection
• 116 — Ambulance (INEMA)

A word of caution that most guides omit: emergency response in Angola can be slow and inconsistent, and ambulance availability is limited. If you are travelling with medical concerns, get the direct number of a private clinic and of your hotel's duty manager, and keep them saved alongside the numbers above. For anything serious, a private clinic in Luanda will usually be the faster route.

Practical checklist

• Unlock your phone before departure
• Buy your SIM on arrival at the airport or an official shop, with passport and visa in hand
• Take Africell for city data, Unitel for provincial coverage, or both
• Buy a data bundle rather than using default rates
• Download offline maps before leaving Luanda
• Keep your balance topped up before heading inland, where shops are farther apart
• Save the emergency numbers, plus a private clinic contact