Somaliland SIM Card: Data, eSIM and Internet for Visitors
A Somaliland SIM card costs little and is one of the most useful things you can carry. Here is how to get one, what data costs and where the signal is strongest.
TRAVEL · PRACTICAL
In Somaliland, your phone is far more than a phone. It is your map, your messenger and, in many shops and taxis, your wallet. Mobile money is the main platform for payment in Somaliland, and it runs on local numbers. That is why a Somaliland SIM card is worth sorting out on your first day.
Who runs the networks
Somaliland has two main mobile networks. Telesom, founded in 2002, is the largest telecommunications provider in Somaliland. It says it covers more than 95% of the country, including remote villages. The second network is Somtel; the money-transfer company Dahabshiil has held about 95% of its shares since 2008.
For years, each network was an island. Since 1 April 2022, Telesom and Somtel customers can call each other, so one SIM card is now enough.
How to get a Somaliland SIM card
Telesom has branches in major cities and agents in every district. You will need identification: Somaliland’s ICT ministry states that a valid ID is required for activation, so bring your passport. Staff at the branch can set up your SIM and your first data bundle.
Many hotels can tell you where the nearest branch is. If you arrive late, ask your driver or hotel to help you buy a SIM the next morning.
eSIM: set up before you land
If your phone supports it, you can skip the shop. Telesom sells an eSIM for $2 on its website, activated by scanning a QR code. Online orders are only for new numbers, which suits visitors. Telesom lists recent models such as the iPhone XS and later, the Galaxy S20 and later and the Pixel 4 and later. Check that your phone is unlocked before you rely on it.
What mobile data costs in Somaliland
You buy bundles by dialling *885# for a dollar account (or *225# for shillings) and following the menu. These were some of Telesom’s prices in October 2026:
| Bundle | Lasts | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 24 hours | $0.25 |
| Unlimited data | 24 hours | $0.50 |
| 3.5 GB | 7 days | $1 |
| 17 GB | 30 days | $5 |
Prices are watched closely. In August 2025, Telesom and Somtel planned to double internet prices. However, President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro) reversed the decision, saying prices would stay the same until further notice. Check the current bundles before you travel.
5G, 4G and coverage
Both networks launched 5G in January 2024. Telesom says its 5G now covers 19 cities, and its launch list included Berbera, Borama, Burao and Sheikh. Somtel’s 5G started in Hargeisa. Outside the 5G areas, your phone moves to 4G LTE without dropping the connection.
5G is a town service, so download offline maps before long drives between towns. Our guide to getting around Somaliland covers the main roads.
Your Somaliland SIM card and mobile money
A local number also opens the door to mobile money. Telesom’s ZAAD and Somtel’s eDahab let people pay by phone, and basic phones work with no internet needed. Our guide to money in Somaliland explains how ZAAD works, and why so many street vendors and taxi drivers take payment by phone.
Planning your visit
- Before you fly: order a Telesom eSIM, or plan a stop at a branch on your first day.
- Bring: your passport for SIM activation, and a phone that is unlocked.
- Getting there: see how to get to Somaliland and the visa and entry rules.
- Safety: check the latest UK travel advice before you go, and read Is Somaliland Safe?.
With a local SIM card in your phone, Somaliland opens up: maps, messages, taxis and tea paid with a tap. Next, plan your first days with our Hargeisa travel guide.
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Sources (13)
- Somaliland’s world-leading move towards a cashless culture, Charlie Mitchell, The National, 17 October 2018.
- Telesom organisation profile, GSMA (accessed 30 October 2026).
- Somtel and eDahab launch 5G network, ITEdgeNews.Africa, 4 January 2024.
- Somaliland National Fiber Optic Cable Company fully operational, Goth Mohamed, Somaliland Current, 11 April 2022.
- About Telesom, Telesom (accessed 30 October 2026).
- ICT regulations in Somaliland, Ministry of ICT, Republic of Somaliland (accessed 30 October 2026).
- eSIM, Telesom (accessed 30 October 2026).
- Data bundles, Telesom (accessed 30 October 2026).
- Somaliland president reverses planned internet price hike, Hiiraan Online, 10 August 2025.
- 4G network, Telesom (accessed 30 October 2026).
- Telesom launches 5G FWA services in Somaliland, TelecomTalk, 9 January 2024.
- Somalia travel advice: regional risks, UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (accessed 30 October 2026).
- 5G network, Telesom (accessed 6 November 2026).
Last checked 6 November 2026. Found an error or something out of date? Tell us.
