finder.com.au

Travelling to Burkina Faso? A guide to finding the best prepaid SIM card

A local SIM could reduce your roaming bills.

Updated

Fact checked

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

Using your home phone network while exploring Burkina Faso can be expensive, so consider switching to a local SIM card to take advantage of cheaper local tariffs. Burkina Faso has some good prepaid SIM card offers, deals that could reduce your bills. You can buy 1GB of data for XOF5,000 (AUD$11.48), which is pretty inexpensive for Africa. So, whether you’re planning a short break or an African tour, check out the best SIM card options available on finder.com.au.

Travel sim card packages for 80+ countries with a range of data options to suit your trip and budget.

Take your data global

SimCorner has prepaid travel SIM cards to get you connected almost anywhere in the world.

  • Get cheaper data
  • Avoid hefty roaming charges
  • Calls or data-only SIMs available
  • Worldwide delivery available
Go to site
More Info
Promoted

Prices last updated 29/08/2017
Skip ahead to

Telco providers in Burkina Faso

There are three main operators in Burkina Faso: Telmob, Orange and Telecel. All three can be trusted and have been tested by locals, travellers and leading testing sites. Each competes with the others to offer the best deals. According to OpenSignal’s coverage map, Burkina Faso’s signal is good around the main towns and cities, but other areas of the country can suffer from poor coverage.

About Burkina Faso’s operators

Roaming rates are good and all operators sell prepaid credit, which allows users to take advantage of cheap offers and deals. All operators provide 2G and 3G, and two offer 4G/LTE services. The locals call their SIM cards “SIM SIMs”, and they can be purchased and registered by showing your passport. Credit can be purchased from official stores, supermarkets and online by using your credit card. We advise you to purchase SIM cards from official stores and approved resellers, avoiding street sellers. Below, we have listed the three main providers in Burkina Faso and the best deals they offer.

Attach the Flexiroam microchip sticker to your SIM and access data roaming in over 140+ countries.

Never change your SIM card

One simple microchip sticker gives you discounted rates all over the world.

  • No more swapping SIM cards
  • Dashboard for tracking data usage
  • eSIM support for compatible phones
Go to site
More Info
Promoted

Telmob (by Ontel)

Telmob is the largest operator and offers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers, and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers. Your passport doesn’t have to be shown but some retailers are now asking to see it, so take it along just to be sure. SIM cards can be bought for XOF500, and credit bonuses are available, depending on the deals available at the time of purchase. Credit can be purchased in the form of credit vouchers that can be found at most stores or bought by using your credit card online. Top-ups can be added in varying amounts between XOF200 and XOF50,000. Dial *100# to check your balance.

The Connects Social media packs, called “Forfaits Connect” in French, can be purchased to allow 24-hour access to two popular social networking sites: Facebook and WhatsApp. The plans can be purchased for XOF300 and can be activated by dialling *146*2# for Facebook or *146*3# for WhatsApp.

The Libertis packages are good combination plans that can be added to the basic SIM card. Dial the code in the right-hand column to choose the package you prefer:

60 minutes of call time500MBXOF4,200*146*11#
300 minutes of call time1GBXOF21,000*146*55#
600 minutes of call time1GBXOF42,000*146*1010#

The following data packs can also be added:

5MBXOF200*146*5#
10MBXOF250*146*10#
20MBXOF400*146*20#
50MBXOF1,000*146*50#
100MBXOF1,500*146*100#
500MBXOF3,000*146*500#
1GBXOF5,000*146*1000#
2GBXOF7,000*146*2000#
3GBXOF8,500*146*3000#
5GBXOF10,000*146*5000#

Dial *146# to check on your data allowance.

Telmob’s APN: Nettelmob, and website: www.onatel.bf

Orange Burkina Faso

Orange is the second-largest provider in Burkina Faso. It offers 2G, 3G and 4G/LTE services. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers, and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers. Your passport might be requested before the SIM card is activated.

The SIM Sons'yam prepaid card can be picked up for XOF250 and comes with varying amounts of credit, so check at the time of purchase for the latest deals. Credit can be purchased in the form of credit vouchers that can be picked up from most stores or by using your credit card online. Top-ups can be added in the following denominations: XOF200, XOF500, XOF1,000, XOF2,000, XOF5,000 and XOF10,000, and each is valid for 90 days. Dial *130*<voucher code># to add credit. Dial *160# to check your balance.

The default data rate is charged at XOF50 per MB. The following data packs can also be added:

5MBXOF1001 day
20MBXOF2252 days
100MBXOF5252 days
500MBXOF1,0252 days
5MBXOF2007 days
10MBXOF2507 days
30MBXOF5007 days
65MBXOF1,00015 days
100MBXOF1,50030 days
150MBXOF2,00030 days
400MBXOF2,02530 days
1GBXOF5,00030 days
2GBXOF7,00030 days
5GBXOF10,00030 days
10GBXOF19,00060 days
20GBXOF30,00090 days
30GBXOF54,0006 months
60GBXOF100,0001 year

Dial *103*<price># to activate the plan of your choice.

The following data packs can also be added for use between midnight and 5am. Dial *506*<price>#to add one of the following:

  • 500MB: XOF500
  • 1GB: XOF1,000

Orange’s APN: internet, and website: www.orange.bf

Telecel Faso

Telecel Faso is the smallest provider and only offers 2G and 3G services. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased from official stores and approved resellers, and credit can also be picked up from the same retailers. Your passport must be shown to the retailer before the SIM card is activated. SIM cards can be picked up for XOF200, which comes with the same amount of credit. Top-ups can be purchased in the form of credit vouchers that can be purchased from most stores or by using your credit card online. Top-ups can be added in amounts between XOF500 and XOF2,000. Dial *110# to check your balance.

The following data packs can also be added:

  • 1 day: XOF300 – Text 160 to activate
  • 1 week: XOF2,000 – Text 161 to activate
  • 1 month: XOF7,000 – Text 162 to activate

Telecel Faso’s APN: wap.telecelfaso.bf, and website: telecelfaso.bf

Some top tips from finder.com.au staff:

  • French is the main language in Burkina Faso, with English as a secondary language. Download Google Translate onto your phone before you travel if you need language assistance.
  • Locals call a SIM card a “SIM SIM”.
  • Ask the retailers to set up the SIM card for you, because they will know how to do it. If not, follow the instructions above or go to the official website for advice.
  • Make sure you purchase your SIM card from the official stores or approved resellers. Top-up vouchers are trusted from chain supermarkets and approved resellers. Try to avoid street sellers.

Pros and cons of Burkina Faso’s top telco providers

All networks require you to have a SIM-unlocked, GSM-compatible phone. To double check you have this phone or whether you can have it unlocked, contact your provider before you leave.

Pros:

  • Prepaid credit when required
  • No in-store contract needed
  • Could be compatible with your current phone

Cons:

  • Can be expensive. Compare roaming rates with your current provider to make sure it’s cheaper
  • No devices offered with the SIM card packages
  • Can only be used on SIM-unlocked GSM phones
  • Street sellers can be unpredictable; avoid at all costs

Another question about finding the best SIM

Q: Is the signal good in Burkina Faso’s countryside?

A: All networks will suffer away from the main cities and highway areas. A lack of coverage is not limited to Burkina Faso providers; it will also happen on your usual network. So if the local deal works out cheaper than your current provider, we highly recommend that you switch over during your trip.

Compare prepaid travel SIM cards

Data indicated here is updated regularly
Name Product Number of countries Data Range Shipment Time
SimCorner Travel Sim Cards
SimCorner Travel Sim Cards
80+
1GB-Unlimited
1-12 business days
Go to site
View details
Flexiroam X
Flexiroam X
140+
1GB-7GB
3-7 business days
Go to site
View details
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.
Go to site