Lesotho, the “Kingdom in the Sky,” offers reliable mobile connectivity through two main operators: Vodacom Lesotho and Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL). Whether you are a tourist, business traveler, or long-term visitor, prepaid SIM cards in Lesotho are affordable, easy to obtain, and suitable for both voice and data usage.
This guide covers SIM availability, prices, coverage, data plans, USSD codes, tourist SIMs, roaming, eSIM alternatives, and activation steps.
Basics Information
- Country: Lesotho
- Currency: Lesotho Loti (LSL)
- SIM Type: Prepaid SIM & eSIM (third-party providers)
- Main Operators: Vodacom Lesotho, Econet Telecom Lesotho
- Network Technologies: 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE
- ID Required: Yes (passport or national ID)
Availability
Prepaid SIM cards are widely available across Lesotho, especially in:
- Maseru (capital city)
- Border towns with South Africa
- Major towns and shopping centers
SIM cards are usually activated instantly after registration.
Where to Buy a SIM Card in Lesotho
You can buy prepaid SIM cards from:
- Official Vodacom & Econet retail stores
- Authorized street vendors
- Shopping malls
- Border posts (limited availability)
- Maseru International Airport (subject to stock)
💡 Tip: Buying from official stores ensures faster activation and proper registration.
Mobile Network Frequencies in Lesotho
| Operator | 2G (GSM) | 3G (UMTS) | 4G/LTE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | 900 / 1800 MHz | 2100 MHz | Band 3 (1800 MHz) |
| Econet | 900 / 1800 MHz | 2100 MHz | Band 3 (1800 MHz) |
Most unlocked international smartphones are fully compatible.
Coverage & Speed
| Operator | Coverage | Average 4G Speed | Rural Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | Nationwide | 15–40 Mbps | Strong |
| Econet | Nationwide | 10–35 Mbps | Moderate–Good |
Vodacom generally offers slightly better rural and mountainous coverage, while Econet is strong in urban areas.
At a Glance Comparison
| Feature | Vodacom Lesotho | Econet Lesotho |
|---|---|---|
| SIM Price | Low | Low |
| 4G Availability | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited Data | Yes (FUP) | Yes (FUP) |
| Social Media Bundles | Yes | Yes |
| Tourist Friendly | Very | Good |
| Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
Biometric User Registration
- Mandatory for all SIM cards
- Requires:
- Passport or national ID
- Photo capture
- Fingerprint (in some outlets)
- Registration complies with Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) regulations
Device Registration
- No separate IMEI registration system is currently enforced
- Most foreign devices work immediately after SIM activation
SIM Card Price
| Operator | SIM Price |
|---|---|
| Vodacom | LSL 5–10 |
| Econet | LSL 5–10 |
SIM cards usually come without bundled data.
Top-Up Methods
- Scratch cards
- Mobile money (M-Pesa / EcoCash)
- Bank cards (official apps)
- USSD recharge
- Authorized dealers
Vodacom Lesotho
Vodacom is the largest and most reliable network in Lesotho, ideal for tourists and rural travel.
Prepaid Plans – Data Add-Ons (USSD Codes)
| Data Bundle | Price (LSL) | Validity | USSD Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 MB | 10 | 1 Day | *555# |
| 500 MB | 35 | 7 Days | *555# |
| 1 GB | 65 | 7 Days | *555# |
| 3 GB | 150 | 30 Days | *555# |
| 10 GB | 350 | 30 Days | *555# |
Vodacom SIM Card Unlimited Data
| Plan | Price (LSL) | Speed Policy | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Daily | 30 | Fair Use | 24 Hours |
| Unlimited Weekly | 150 | Fair Use | 7 Days |
| Unlimited Monthly | 450 | Fair Use | 30 Days |
Vodacom Feature Packages
| Package | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Combo | Minutes + SMS | From LSL 20 |
| Data Combo | Data + SMS | From LSL 50 |
| Night Data | Off-peak data | From LSL 15 |
Social Media Offers Vodacom
| Platform | Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | 10 | 1 Day | |
| 500 MB | 15 | 1 Day | |
| 1 GB | 25 | 3 Days | |
| TikTok | 1 GB | 30 | 3 Days |
Vodacom Data-Only SIM
- Available for tablets & routers
- Same data bundles as regular SIM
- No voice/SMS services
Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL)
Econet is a strong alternative with competitive pricing and social bundles.
Prepaid Plans – Data Add-Ons
| Data Bundle | Price (LSL) | Validity | USSD Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 MB | 15 | 1 Day | *121# |
| 1 GB | 60 | 7 Days | *121# |
| 2 GB | 120 | 30 Days | *121# |
| 5 GB | 280 | 30 Days | *121# |
| 10 GB | 500 | 30 Days | *121# |
Econet Unlimited Data SIM
| Plan | Price (LSL) | Speed Policy | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Daily | 25 | Fair Use | 24 Hours |
| Unlimited Weekly | 130 | Fair Use | 7 Days |
| Unlimited Monthly | 420 | Fair Use | 30 Days |
Econet Data Feature Packages
| Package | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Voice + Data | Combo bundles | From LSL 30 |
| Night Data | Midnight data | From LSL 20 |
| Weekend Data | Sat–Sun use | From LSL 40 |
Social Media Bundles Econet
| Platform | Data | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited | 8 | 1 Day | |
| 500 MB | 12 | 1 Day | |
| TikTok | 1 GB | 25 | 3 Days |
| YouTube | 1 GB | 30 | 3 Days |
Econet Data-Only SIM
- Designed for MiFi & routers
- No voice services
- Popular for home internet
How to Check the Remaining Balance
- Vodacom:
*111# - Econet:
*121# - Or via official mobile apps
Official Websites
- Vodacom Lesotho: https://www.vodacom.co.ls
- Econet Lesotho: https://www.etl.co.ls
Mobile Apps
Apps allow:
- Balance checks
- Bundle purchases
- Recharge
- Usage tracking
How to Check Your SIM Number
- Vodacom:
*135# - Econet:
*123#
Tourist SIM Cards
- No dedicated tourist SIM branding
- Regular prepaid SIMs work perfectly for tourists
- Passport required for registration
Roaming Data
- International roaming supported (mainly in South Africa)
- Expensive compared to local data
- Not recommended for long stays
Digital eSIM Providers (Alternative Option)
If you prefer instant activation, consider global eSIMs:
- Airalo
- Nomad
- Holafly
- AloSIM
⚠️ eSIMs are data-only and cost more than local SIMs.
Other Internet Options
- Pocket Wi-Fi (limited availability)
- Hotel Wi-Fi
- South African SIM near borders (roaming applies)
Activation Process
- Insert SIM card
- Provide passport/ID
- Biometric registration
- SIM activated instantly
- Purchase data bundle
Help Line Numbers
| Operator | Customer Care |
|---|---|
| Vodacom | 111 |
| Econet | 121 |
Conclusion
Prepaid SIM cards in Lesotho are affordable, accessible, and reliable. Vodacom Lesotho is the best choice for travelers needing strong rural coverage, while Econet Lesotho offers competitive data pricing and social media bundles.
For short stays, a local prepaid SIM is far cheaper than roaming. For convenience, eSIM providers are a good backup option.
If you’re planning to explore Lesotho’s mountains, villages, and cities, getting a prepaid SIM is a must for navigation, communication, and staying connected.