If you're looking for information on how the internet works in Sudan, it's highly likely you're not planning a vacation. Since April 2023, the country has been at war, and those who ask me about this are almost always humanitarian personnel, journalists, and Sudanese diaspora trying to talk to their families. So I'm going to tell it like it is, without embellishment: what's left of the network, where there's signal and where there isn't, how much each option costs, and what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says before you buy anything.
Sudan is not a travel destination today: who I'm writing this for
In Sudan, there is no reliable connection solution: the war has destroyed much of the network, and there have been weeks-long outages in entire regions. The realistic approach is to combine a local SIM or eSIM with your organization's satellite access, expect long outages, and always have an alternative communication plan.
I write almost all my guides with someone going on vacation in mind. Not this one. Since April 15, 2023, the conflict between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has turned Sudan into one of the planet's worst humanitarian scenarios, with millions of internally displaced persons and refugees in Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. It is not a country for tourist travel, and it would be dishonest of me to publish a cheerful guide here about "the best data plans for your African adventure."
Those who seek this information usually fit into three profiles: aid workers and agency personnel who are deploying, journalists covering the conflict, and Sudanese outside the country who need to understand why they haven't heard from a brother in El Fasher for three weeks. All three need the same thing: concrete data, not headlines.
That's why this guide will be quite different from the others. I'm going to tell you which operators are still working, with what real prices, where there is coverage and where there isn't, what role Starlink plays, and in which specific cases an eSIM is useful. And I'm going to start with what should come first in any text about Sudan: official recommendations. If you're considering traveling, read them before looking at data plans.
First things first: the official recommendations from the Foreign Ministry
Before talking about megabytes and operators, this. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation maintains the highest warning level for Sudan: it is recommended not to travel to Sudan under any circumstances. It's not a "exercise extreme caution" or "avoid certain areas." It's a recommendation not to go, applied to the entire territory.
The Foreign Ministry notes that any movement within the country is extremely dangerous and advises against using public or private transport, recommending coordinating any movement with international security-provided convoys.
If you still go—because your organization deploys you, because you're covering the conflict, or because you have family there—the official brief clarifies several things that should be kept in mind:
- You need international medical and travel insurance that expressly covers war zones and includes repatriation. Most standard policies exclude conflict zones.
- It is advisable to inform the Foreign Ministry of your trip and register in the Traveler Registry, and maintain contact throughout your stay.
- There is no evidence that foreign registration offices are still operating normally, so routine administrative procedures may simply not exist.
- Foreign credit cards are not accepted at any establishment or ATM in Sudan. This conditions everything else, including how to pay for a SIM.
Always consult the updated information on the Foreign Ministry's website and, if you are with an NGO, your own organization's security assessment, which is usually more granular by state. The situation changes by weeks, not years, and any data in this article should be cross-referenced with official sources before making decisions.
What has happened to the Sudanese network since 2023
Before the war, Sudan had a normal mobile network for the region: 3G and 4G in major cities, reasonable coverage along the Nile axis and in Khartoum, and data prices among the cheapest in Africa. Nothing extraordinary, but functional. A journalist could send material from Khartoum without too much drama.
The conflict has done two things simultaneously. On one hand, it has destroyed physical infrastructure: towers, generators, fiber optic lines, and, above all, data centers. On the other hand, telecommunications have become a target and a tool of pressure. Cutting off connection has been deliberately used as a weapon, something that digital rights organizations have been denouncing since the first year.
The most serious episode came in February 2024: attacks against the headquarters of the country's three major operators—Sudani, Zain, and MTN—in Khartoum left nearly 30 million people without connectivity for almost a month. An entire country disconnected for weeks. To get an idea of what that means: families who couldn't find out if their children were still alive, mobile money transfers (the system many people used to buy food) paralyzed, and emergency teams unable to coordinate.
The connection began to recover from March 2024, largely because Zain Sudan and Sudani set up new data centers in Port Sudan, the Red Sea coastal city that has become the de facto administrative capital while the RSF controlled much of Khartoum. Since then, the network lives in an unstable equilibrium: it is restored in some areas, goes down in others, and no operator can guarantee continuous service.
Coverage by area: where there is signal and where there isn't
This is the part that is most misrepresented on the internet. Coverage maps you see on commercial websites are often from before 2023, or theoretical maps generated from licenses. The reality on the ground is much more irregular and depends, in addition to infrastructure, on who militarily controls each area at any given moment.
In short, and knowing that this can change at any time:
| Area | Mobile network situation | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Port Sudan and Red Sea coast | Most stable in the country; operational data centers | 3G/4G with outages; where everything works best |
| Khartoum and metropolitan area | Partially restored, very uneven by neighborhood | Intermittent service; entire areas without coverage |
| Darfur (El Fasher, Nyala, El Geneina) | Large areas disconnected from all three operators | Depend on satellite; expect prolonged outages |
| Kordofan | Severely affected, with recurrent outages due to fighting | Connection not guaranteed any day |
| North (Dongola, Wadi Halfa, Atbara) | Relatively less damaged | Irregular but existing coverage in population centers |
| East (Kassala, Gedaref) | More stable than the west | Signal in cities, little in rural areas |
Two important nuances. First: even where there is an antenna, electricity supply is the real bottleneck; if there is no diesel for the generators, the base station goes down even if it is intact. Second: the speed, when there is a network, is much worse than it used to be; many users describe connections that are good enough for text messaging but not for uploading video or making stable video calls. Plan your work assuming messaging bandwidth, not streaming.
Zain Sudan, MTN Sudan, and Sudani: who's who
The Sudanese market is shared by three operators, and all three are still operational, albeit with their networks severely impacted. It's worth knowing them because any connection you use in the country—local SIM, international eSIM, or even hotel Wi-Fi—ultimately relies on one of them.
- Zain Sudan: historically the largest by market share and usually has the best coverage across the country. A subsidiary of the Kuwaiti Zain group. It was one of the first to set up alternative infrastructure in Port Sudan after the 2024 attacks.
- MTN Sudan: a subsidiary of the South African MTN group, second in size. Good urban presence before the war; now with a very fragmented network, especially in the west.
- Sudani (Sudatel): the state-owned operator, strong in fixed-line and fiber as well as mobile. Also rebuilt capacity from Port Sudan.
Before the conflict, all three offered 3G and 4G in major cities with very cheap rates. Today, none can promise continuous service, and all have lost infrastructure. Which one is best depends exclusively on where you will be: in Port Sudan and the east, Zain and Sudani are usually the most sensible bet; in Khartoum, the answer changes by neighborhood, and it's best to ask people who are there that very week.
There is no generally "good" operator, only the one that works on your street. That's why many people on the ground carry two lines from different operators, something that is more the norm than the exception in Sudan and, with a dual SIM phone, is the cheapest redundancy you can set up.
The four options for connecting, compared
The same four usual ways—your Spanish line roaming, Wi-Fi at your accommodation, a local card, or an eSIM—change significantly in meaning when the country is at war. This table summarizes my honest assessment:
| Option | Estimated cost | Advantage | Real problem in Sudan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming with your Spanish line | Can exceed €10/MB for out-of-bundle rates | Zero hassle, works upon landing | Very expensive; several global bundles explicitly exclude Sudan |
| Hotel, base, or office Wi-Fi | Included or shared | Usually the most stable link if satellite-based | Depends on the same failed network; saturated and no guarantee |
| Local SIM (Zain, MTN, Sudani) | ~7 SDG for SIM; data from 333 SDG per day | By far the cheapest | Registration with passport, payment only in cash, stores closed in many areas |
| International eSIM | Fixed rate in euros, contracted before leaving | Active from Spain, no paperwork or cash needed | Relies on the same local networks: if there's no network, there's no data |
Look at the last column, because that's where the uncomfortable truth lies: none of the four options give you a connection where the network is down. The only technology that bypasses this problem is satellite. Everything else competes on convenience and price, not coverage.
If you've never used any of these alternatives and want to understand the differences calmly, in the comparison between eSIM and local card I break it down in more detail for normal destinations. Here I focus on what applies to a conflict context, which is quite different.
Roaming from Spain: why it's the worst option
Let's start with the obvious: Sudan does not belong to the European Union or the European Economic Area, so the "Roam Like at Home" that lets you use your gigabytes in France or Portugal doesn't apply at all. Here you directly enter the most expensive zones of your operator's tariff, that "rest of the world" that almost no one reads until the bill arrives.
The numbers are frightening. Outside the EU, out-of-bundle data rates from Spanish operators can reach several euros per megabyte, with reported cases of up to €12 per MB in distant areas. At that price, checking email a couple of times a day for a week turns into a three-figure bill. I've seen enough stories of thousands-of-euros bills after returning from a trip to insist on this.
And there's a specific detail about Sudan that many people ignore: several international bundles exclude the country from their coverage. Vodafone's global bundle, for example, is marketed as valid worldwide outside the EU but with a list of exceptions where Sudan appears alongside Cuba, Lebanon, or Tajikistan. This means that even if you contract the bundle, it won't work in Sudan and you'll revert to the general rate.
Practical conclusion: if you're going to Sudan, go to your operator's simulator and check the exact price for that destination before you leave. And if the number seems absurd, it is. I have developed the complete calculation in the guide on how much international roaming costs, and in this comparison you'll see the cost difference compared to a pre-contracted rate.
Local SIM: real prices, registration, and its limits
Under normal conditions, a Sudanese local SIM would be the undisputed winning option, because the country's data prices are among the lowest I've seen anywhere. These are the approximate figures published by Zain Sudan:
| Product | Price in Sudanese Pounds (SDG) | Approximate equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid SIM card at Zain store | 7 SDG | ~0.13 USD |
| Daily 250 MB package | 333.33 SDG | ~0.55 USD |
| Monthly 10 GB package | 7,801 SDG | ~12.97 USD |
| Monthly 25 GB package | 14,113 SDG | ~23.46 USD |
An important note about these figures: about 31% in taxes must be added to the advertised prices, and the Sudanese pound has depreciated sharply during the conflict, so dollar or euro equivalencies quickly become outdated. Take them as a reference that data is cheap, not as an exact rate.
Requirements also matter. To register a SIM, you will need a passport, and registration is mandatory. Furthermore, and this connects with what the Foreign Ministry advises, you will have to pay everything in cash: foreign cards do not work in any business or ATM in the country, so you need currency to exchange. And the biggest problem is physical availability: in many areas, there are simply no open operator stores, no distributors, and no way to recharge credit. A cheap SIM that you can't buy is useless to you.
Wi-Fi and Starlink: how people actually connect
When the mobile network becomes unreliable, the Sudanese internet reorganizes around satellite. This is the most characteristic phenomenon of these years: in the face of outages, both the civilian population and local response teams—the so-called Emergency Response Rooms—connect via Starlink terminals informally introduced into the country.
The model closely resembles 1990s cybercafes: someone has a terminal, shares Wi-Fi, and charges by the hour or session. An entire parallel market has been created around these devices, with fluctuating prices and total dependence on the terminal remaining powered on. In November 2025, there was a nationwide Starlink outage for about two days, coinciding with the intensification of fighting in Kordofan and El Fasher, and for many communities, that meant being literally cut off.
What does this mean for you?
- If you are with an organization, your primary connection will almost certainly be the base's satellite link, not a mobile card.
- The "hotel Wi-Fi" available in Port Sudan or Khartoum works when the building's network or satellite is operational; do not count on bandwidth for video calls.
- Portable Wi-Fi router rental, typical in Asia, is not a real option here: there is no market for pocket Wi-Fi or logistics to return the device.
- The use of satellite terminals has legal and security implications. Always consult with your organization before moving one.
Put another way: satellite is the only thing that works independently of the war, but it's not something you can just set up on your phone on a Sunday afternoon.
eSIM: what it solves and what it doesn't in a war-torn country
I will be transparent because it's my business, and lying here would be particularly ugly. An eSIM is a digital card you install on your phone before leaving home. Upon arrival, it connects to local networks in the country through roaming agreements. In Sudan, this means relying on Zain, MTN, or Sudani—the exact same networks that are damaged.
Therefore: an eSIM does not fix coverage issues. If you are in an area of Darfur where all three operators are down, you will not have data, not with an eSIM, not with a local card, and not by paying gold-plated roaming fees. Anyone who tells you otherwise is misleading you.
What it does solve, and it's no small thing in this context:
- Zero paperwork upon arrival: no need to find an open store, register your passport, and negotiate in cash with currency you might not have been able to exchange.
- Fixed rate, paid from Spain, by card, before leaving. Remember that foreign cards are not accepted anywhere there.
- Predictable price compared to consumption-based roaming, which is where nightmare bills appear.
- Redundancy: you can keep the eSIM active and also buy a local SIM if you find one, using both on the same phone.
My honest recommendation: if you are going to be in Port Sudan, the eastern corridor, or Khartoum with travel, the eSIM makes sense as a cheap, hassle-free backup line. If your destination is the west of the country, consider it an extra and base your communication on your organization's satellite. Specific installation and coverage details can be found in the eSIM guide for Sudan.
Cash, how much data to bring, and the country that once was
Three practical notes to conclude. First, money: Sudan operates on cash and cash only. No foreign cards work in shops or ATMs, not even in international hotels, so anything you need there—including a local SIM or paying for satellite Wi-Fi hours—comes out of the cash you carry. This means anything you can pay for in advance from Spain is, to begin with, one less worry.
Second, how much data to contract. With slow and intermittent connections, actual consumption is usually much lower than one might think:
| Profile | Main Use | Estimated Data |
|---|---|---|
| Aid worker on base with satellite link | Messaging and email outside base | 1-3 GB per month |
| Journalist with travel | Email, compressed photos, some heavy uploads | 5-10 GB |
| Diaspora on family visit | App calls and messaging | 3-5 GB |
| Short transit or evacuation | Location, messages, confirmations | 1 GB |
And third, because I think it's worth mentioning. Sudan is home to the pyramids of Meroë, from the Kingdom of Kush: there are more pyramids in Sudan than in Egypt, about two hundred spread across the Nubian Desert, and they are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Until 2023, it was a minor and extraordinary destination, with very few visitors and an overwhelming archaeological heritage. Today, it is not normally visitable and no tourist travel should be planned there. I mention this only to make clear what is at stake and what the country could become again when this ends.
Frequently asked questions
Does the internet work in Sudan right now?
Partially and unpredictably. Mobile service is available in Port Sudan, parts of Khartoum, and eastern Sudan, while large areas of Darfur and Kordofan have been without Zain, MTN, or Sudani coverage for long periods. Outages can last for days or weeks.
Can you travel to Sudan as a tourist?
No. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends against all travel to Sudan under any circumstances. The country has been at war since April 2023, and any internal movement is considered extremely dangerous. Those who travel despite this advice must purchase insurance that covers conflict zones and register with the Travelers' Registry.
Can I pay for a SIM card with a credit card?
No. Foreign credit and debit cards are not accepted at any establishment or ATM in Sudan. Everything is paid in cash, in Sudanese pounds, which requires carrying foreign currency and exchanging it on the ground.
How much does mobile data cost in Sudan?
Very little in absolute terms. Zain Sudan offers packages starting from 333 SDG for 250 MB daily and around 7,801 SDG for 10 GB monthly, plus about 31% in taxes. The problem is not the price, but whether there is a network and open stores.
Does an eSIM work if the local network is down?
No. International eSIMs work through roaming on Zain, MTN, or Sudani networks, so they are affected by their outages. They offer convenience, fixed rates, and payment from Spain, but they do not create coverage where none exists.
Why do so many people use Starlink in Sudan?
Because it is the only thing that works when the terrestrial network goes down. After outages, civilians and local response teams connect via informally introduced satellite terminals, often shared like cybercafes. Even so, there was a nationwide Starlink outage of about two days in November 2025.
Does free EU roaming apply in Sudan?
No, absolutely not. Sudan does not belong to the EU or the EEA, so it falls into the most expensive tariff zones. Furthermore, some international Spanish bonuses expressly exclude Sudan from their coverage, leaving you on a general consumption-based tariff.
What happened with the network in February 2024?
It was the largest telecommunications blackout of the conflict. Attacks against the headquarters of Sudani, Zain, and MTN in Khartoum left about 30 million people without connectivity for almost a month. Service was partially restored when Zain and Sudani set up new data centers in Port Sudan.
Conclusion
To summarize the essentials. Sudan is at war and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends against travel under any circumstances: that comes first, before any technical consideration. The mobile network exists but is fragile and uneven—reasonable in Port Sudan, intermittent in Khartoum, absent in much of Darfur and Kordofan—local data is very cheap but must be paid in cash and with a passport, Spanish roaming is expensive and sometimes not even covered by bonuses, and satellite is the only thing that bypasses outages.
If your trip is decided and you want to arrive with an active line, a fixed rate, and without depending on finding an open store on the first day, you can sort it out before leaving Spain with the eSIM for Sudan. With one condition that I repeat one last time: it is a convenient backup, not a substitute for a serious communications plan or a guarantee of coverage. In a country like this, honesty about what technology can and cannot do is worth more than any offer.
