Buying Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs: Detailed Guide

David Smith

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Published: July 2024

The issue of how to get and activate an Airtel Nigeria SIM card or eSIM is no longer new to anyone. You’ll get the most useful answer from this post.

For those visiting Nigeria for the first time or traveling on business, one of their common questions is how to get and activate Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs. Everything will be presented below, along with the most important guidelines.

I. Overview about Airtel Nigeria – What you need to know

Airtel ranks as one of Nigeria’s top telecom providers. When traveling to Nigeria, travelers should use Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs because of its wide network coverage, quick internet, and affordable costs.

• Founded: in 2010 after Zain Telecom sold Bharti Airtel Limited its African operations
• Company name: the full name of the company is Airtel Networks Limited.
• Product: Airtel offers several telecommunication services, including Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs, SMS, mobile money, data, voice, and mobile.
• Subscriber and Coverage: By 2022, there will be more than 50 million subscribers, with coverage in all 36 states of Nigeria plus Abuja.
• Speed: Ranked second
• Thousands of roadside vendors, agents, and more than 1,000 retail stores and kiosks across

II. Airtel Coverage in Nigeria 

In Romania, Airtel Nigeria ranks second in terms of mobile network coverage. Based on the Nigeria Mobile Quality Report (2023), here’s some results of Airtel’s coverage in Nigeria:

• Airtel has extensive network coverage across Nigeria. As of recent reports, Airtel claims to cover over 80% of the country’s landmass. Airtel has around 45 million active subscribers in Nigeria.
• Airtel stands out from the rest of the operators by offering 4G/5G coverage an average of 73% of the time.
• It holds about 25-30% of the mobile market share, competing closely with MTN and Glo.
• Airtel has been expanding its 4G LTE network. As of 2024, it covers major urban areas and many rural regions, though there are still some underserved areas.

III. Airtel Speed in Nigeria

Airtel’s mobile internet speed in Nigeria was ranked second. According to Nigeria’s Barometer of Mobile Internet Connections (2023), below are the important findings::

• Airtel has offered robust download speeds of 11 Mb/s and upload speeds of 4 Mb/s.
• Its latency stands at 133 ms, and the network performs well in web browsing and YouTube streaming, with success rates of 36% and 70% respectively.
• Airtel’s strong performance indicators demonstrate its commitment to providing reliable and fast Internet services.

IV. Types of Airtel Nigeria SIM Card Options for Tourists

For travelers, Airtel provides a variety of SIM card and mobile data choices to accommodate various travel needs: Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs, roaming, Airtel broadband dongle, and Airtel Wifi device rental. Nigeria Airtel eSIM is a wonderful option, however, only a few phone models are compatible with eSIM, so make sure to check before you buy.

The pros and cons of renting an Airtel WiFi device, buying Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs, renting a broadband dongle, and roaming are shown in the following table:

In summary, it is clear that the most trustworthy and reasonably priced choices are Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs, which let travelers use their mobile devices constantly and as much as possible while they are in Nigeria. 

V. Top Airtel SIM cards for Tourists & Prices

Airtel has made significant strides in Nigeria’s telecommunications market and offers competitive plans. Airtel might not have the same widespread recognition as MTN, it’s a viable option for tourists. Below are some attractive data packages for tourists from Airtel: 

Travelers should know that buying a Nigerian SIM card upon arrival can be time-consuming with the registration process. You’ll likely need to provide identification documents like a passport, which can be inconvenient. To make everything easier, consider purchasing Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs in advance. This way, you’ll have immediate connectivity upon landing Nigeria.

VI. Where to buy Airtel Nigeria SIM cards for tourists?

In Nigeria, there are three ways to purchase an Airtel SIM card: airport kiosks, Airtel stores, and other approved retail outlets.

1. Buy Airtel SIM at Nigeria airports

Airtel SIM cards are readily available at major Nigerian airports. You’ll typically find Airtel kiosks or shops in the arrivals area. Here are major Nigerian Airports:

• Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos: This is the busiest airport in Nigeria, and it’s highly likely you’ll find an Airtel outlet there.
• Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja: Similar to Lagos, Abuja airport also has Airtel SIM card vendors.
• Other major airports: While less likely, there’s a possibility of finding Airtel SIM cards at other significant airports in Nigeria.

Here are some tips for buying an Airtel SIM at the Airport: 

• Have your passport ready: You’ll need to provide identification to purchase a SIM card.
• Consider data plans: Many travelers opt for data-only SIM cards for internet access.
• Check for activation requirements: Some SIM cards might require registration or additional steps after purchase.
• Negotiate prices: While rare, you might be able to negotiate a better deal, especially if you’re buying multiple SIM cards.

2. Buy Airtel SIM in Nigeria city center

It’s simple to find an Airtel retail location near you because of the company’s extensive network throughout Nigeria’s city center. Compared to airport kiosks, these stores provide a larger assortment of SIM cards and plans, and you can also obtain guidance from the personnel in selecting the appropriate plan.

Airtel Service Centers: Look for Airtel service centers or experience centers in the city. The Airtel Store is located at 5 Oba Akran Ave, Ikeja, Lagos 100001, Lagos or Aguiyi Ironsi St, Wuse, Abuja 970001, Federal Capital Territory,…

Dealers and/or Agents: Authorized Airtel dealers frequently remain open late and offer signup packages. To swiftly pick up a card, look for signs advertising “Airtel SIM sale” at crossroads and along highways.

Supermarkets and Malls: Some large supermarkets or malls may have kiosks or stores that sell SIM cards. Check in places like Shoprite, Spar, or other major retail outlets. 

In conclusion, buying an Airtel SIM card in Nigeria is very difficult due to complicated registering personal information. While SIM cards purchased in the city center are less expensive than those purchased at the airport, purchasing them is more difficult and time-consuming, thus few visitors opt for them.

3. Buy Airtel SIM online before departure

Before you depart for Nigeria, you can purchase an Airtel SIM card online through several platforms:

• Airtel Nigeria’s Official Website: Visit the official website and check if they offer options for purchasing SIM cards online. They may direct you to authorized dealers or provide information on how to get a SIM card upon arrival.
• Travel Retailers: SimCorner specialize in international SIM cards and may offer options for Nigeria.

VII. A Better Alternative to Airtel SIM cards – Nigeria eSIM

Forget the traditional physical SIM cards. If your phone supports eSIM, a Gigago Nigeria eSIM is the perfect solution for mobile internet during your trip in Nigeria. Enjoy quick and easy activation, along with affordable data plans tailored for travelers.

Gigago competitive pricing starts at $9.50 with 7-day of use and 1GB data. Other plans range between $9.50 – $37.50 , making Gigago eSIM the best option for a stress-free Nigeria adventure.

VIII. How to top up your Airtel Nigeria SIM

The two main ways to top up your Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs are through Airtel App or Online Recharge Platforms.

Using the Airtel App:

• Download the Airtel Nigeria app from your app store.
• Log in your Airtel account linked with your Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs
• Look for a section labeled “Recharge”.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to choose the desired amount and complete the payment using your linked bank account or debit/credit card.

Online Recharge Platforms:

• Visit online recharge platforms like Ding.
• Select Nigeria as the country and Airtel as your provider.
• Enter your Airtel phone number and choose the top-up amount.
• Complete the payment using your preferred method

IX. FAQ about Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs

X. Conclusion 

Obtaining and activating Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs are simple processes that can be completed in a few simple steps. Whether you choose a physical SIM card or a digital eSIM, Airtel Nigeria offers convenient options to suit your needs. By following the outlined steps, you can quickly connect to Nigeria’s mobile network and enjoy seamless communication.

Remember to keep your Airtel Nigeria SIM cards & eSIMs details secure to protect your personal information. If you encounter any issues during the activation process, Airtel’s customer support is available to assist you.