Where to Buy an International eSIM in Nigeria (Pay in Naira)
Roaming on your Nigerian SIM can cost thousands of naira a day. A travel eSIM gives you local data abroad for far less, and you can buy it here in naira.
You can buy an international travel eSIM in Nigeria on Gsubz and pay in naira from your wallet, with no dollar card needed. Choose the country or region you are visiting, scan the QR code to install it, and it connects when you land. Most iPhones from the XR, Samsung Galaxy S20 and Google Pixel 3a onwards support eSIM; dial *#06# and if you see an EID number, yours does.
What is a travel eSIM?
An eSIM is a SIM card built into your phone. Instead of buying a plastic SIM at the airport, you buy a data plan online and install it by scanning a QR code. A travel eSIM gives you mobile data in another country at local prices, while your Nigerian SIM stays in your phone for calls, SMS and bank OTPs.
Will my Nigerian SIM work abroad?
Yes, in most countries, through international roaming. MTN, Airtel, Glo and T2 have roaming partners abroad, so your line can usually make calls, receive SMS and use data when you land. But roaming data is very expensive, and on some lines roaming must be switched on before you travel. Check with your network (dial 300) before you leave.
If you don't want to pay roaming rates, these are your options for internet abroad:
| Option | Cost | Good for | Downside |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming on your Nigerian SIM | Very high | Short emergencies | Bill can be huge |
| Travel eSIM | Low, fixed upfront | Most travellers | Phone must support eSIM |
| Local SIM at the airport | Low | Long stays | Needs passport, queues, registration |
| Hotel and public Wi-Fi | Free | Light use | Slow, not everywhere, less secure |
| Pocket Wi-Fi (MiFi) rental | Medium | Groups and families | Extra device to carry and charge |
For most people, a travel eSIM is the easiest: you set it up in Nigeria before you leave, and you have data the moment you land.
Why Nigerians buy travel eSIMs instead of roaming
Roaming on a Nigerian line is expensive. Reports put MTN, Airtel and Glo roaming at roughly ₦2,000 to ₦5,000 a day, and roaming data can cost over ₦1,500 per 100MB in many countries. A week of normal use can easily cost tens of thousands of naira, and you often only see the full bill after you return.
| Roaming on your Nigerian SIM | Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Data price | Very high per MB | Local rates, often 10GB+ for a week |
| Bill | Often known only after the trip | Fixed price, paid upfront |
| Setup | None | Scan a QR code once |
| Keep your Nigerian number | Yes | Yes, both lines work together |
The problem with paying for eSIMs from Nigeria
Most eSIM sellers are foreign and charge in dollars. Many naira cards have low international spending limits or don't work for foreign payments at all, so the payment often fails at checkout.
On Gsubz you pay in naira from your Gsubz wallet, which you fund by bank transfer. No dollar card or domiciliary account needed.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most phones made from 2020 onwards support eSIM, including:
- iPhone XR, XS and newer
- Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, and the Z Fold and Z Flip series
- Google Pixel 3a and newer
To check quickly, dial *#06#. If you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM. Your phone must also be network-unlocked: phones locked to a foreign network (common with some imported "UK used" or "US used" phones) may refuse eSIMs from other providers.
Tip: on iPhone, go to Settings → General → About and look for "Digital SIM" or an EID. On Android, look for "Add eSIM" under SIM manager or Connections.
How to buy and install a travel eSIM on Gsubz
- Go to the travel eSIM page and choose the country or region you are visiting.
- Pick a data plan (size and number of days) and pay from your Gsubz wallet in naira.
- Scan the QR code you receive with your phone camera, or follow the install steps shown. You need Wi-Fi or data to install it.
- Label the lines on your phone, for example "MTN" for your Nigerian SIM and "Travel" for the eSIM.
- When you arrive, set the eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for the eSIM only.
- Turn off data roaming on your Nigerian SIM so it doesn't use expensive roaming data by mistake.
You can install the eSIM before you travel; the plan normally starts when it first connects to a network in the destination country.
How much data do I need?
| Trip | Light use (maps, WhatsApp) | Normal use (social media, some video) | Heavy use (video calls, streaming) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 days | 1–3GB | 3–5GB | 10GB+ |
| 1 week | 3GB | 5–10GB | 15–20GB |
| 2 weeks+ | 5GB | 10–20GB | Unlimited or 30GB+ |
Popular destinations for Nigerians
Travel eSIMs are available for most countries Nigerians visit, including the UK, USA, Canada, UAE (Dubai), Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Saudi Arabia (Hajj and Umrah), Turkey, China and Schengen Europe. Regional plans cover several countries at once, which is useful for multi-country trips. See the full list on the eSIM page.
Refunds and cancellations
On Gsubz, an eSIM that has not been installed or used can be cancelled for a refund to your wallet. Once installed or used, it can't be refunded, so make sure your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked before you buy.
Planning the rest of the trip? You can also book flights and buses on Gsubz and pay in naira.
Buy a travel eSIM in secondsAutomatic delivery, 24/7. Fund your wallet by bank transfer and pay.
Open Gsubz →Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy an international eSIM in Nigeria?
On Gsubz. Choose a travel eSIM for the country or region you are visiting and pay in naira from your Gsubz wallet. No dollar card is needed.
Will my Nigerian SIM work when I travel abroad?
Usually yes, through international roaming, but roaming data is very expensive and may need to be activated before you travel. Most travellers keep their Nigerian SIM for calls and OTPs and use a travel eSIM for cheap data.
How can I use the internet abroad without roaming?
Buy a travel eSIM before you leave, buy a local SIM at your destination, or use Wi-Fi. A travel eSIM is the easiest because it works the moment you land and keeps your Nigerian number active.
Can I still use WhatsApp with my Nigerian number on a travel eSIM?
Yes. WhatsApp stays linked to your Nigerian number; the eSIM only provides the internet connection.
Do I need to remove my Nigerian SIM to use an eSIM?
No. Most eSIM phones use both at once: your Nigerian SIM for calls and SMS, and the eSIM for data.
Can I pay for an eSIM with naira?
Yes. Gsubz eSIMs are paid in naira from your wallet, which you fund by bank transfer from any Nigerian bank.
How do I know if my phone supports eSIM?
Dial *#06#. If you see an EID number, your phone supports eSIM. It must also be network-unlocked.
Will I still receive calls and bank OTPs on my Nigerian number?
Yes. Your Nigerian SIM stays active alongside the eSIM, so you can still receive calls and SMS (roaming SMS rules from your network apply). Use the eSIM only for data.
When should I install my travel eSIM?
You can install it before you travel, while you have Wi-Fi. The plan usually starts when it first connects in the destination country.
Can I get a refund for an eSIM?
Yes, if it has not been installed or used. Once installed or used, it can't be refunded.
How we check this guide
The Gsubz team checked these facts on 10 Nov 2026, using official sources first (NCC, NERC, the networks, DisCos and exam bodies), then our own transaction records. Prices and codes change, so we update this page when they do.
Sources: Gsubz: Travel eSIM · Trust Radio: Staying connected abroad without roaming charges (2026)