SIM Card, eSIM & Internet.
Two network operators, a new satellite player, and noticeably patchy coverage on the smaller islands: here's how to stay online in Cape Verde - including an honest take on why you shouldn't expect 5G here yet.
Mobile & internet at a glance.
- Network operators
- Alou (incumbent, renamed 2023) & Unitel T+
- Network standard
- 4G/LTE available in many inhabited areas (reception varies by location/terrain), 5G in pilot phase
- Prepaid SIM
- Available on arrival at airports and kiosks
- eSIM alternative
- Airalo & co. from roughly $8-9.50/1 GB, or the official Unitel T+ eSIM from €10/10 GB
- Satellite internet
- Starlink officially permitted since December 2024
- Best coverage
- Sal, Boa Vista, São Vicente, Santiago
- Weaker coverage
- Fogo, Brava, Santo Antão, São Nicolau (partly patchy)
- VoIP/WhatsApp
- Not restricted
Two carriers, one network-rollout race.
Alou is the former incumbent (previously part of the CVTelecom group), which repositioned itself under the Alou name in 2023 - with the country's longest-established network. Unitel T+, a subsidiary of Angola's Unitel group, has been active as a competing second operator since 2007 and has invested continuously in its own network infrastructure ever since. Both sell prepaid SIM cards for tourists, available right at the airports (Sal, Praia, São Vicente) or at kiosks/shops in the larger towns.
For short stays, an eSIM is often the most convenient solution: providers like Airalo offer Cape Verde data packages from around $8-9.50 for 1 GB, without needing to buy a physical SIM card locally. For longer stays, or if you also want to make local calls, a local prepaid SIM is usually the better value.
Official Unitel T+ "Morabeza" eSIM as a local alternative to Airalo
Unitel T+ sells its own "Morabeza" eSIM directly through the esim.uniteltmais.cv portal - with no document requirement at all (just an account signup), with data packages ranging from 10 GB/10 days for €10 up to unlimited data over 15 days for €45; all packages additionally include 30 free minutes for national/international calls. Whether this is cheaper for you than Airalo depends heavily on your data volume and trip length - for longer stays with high data needs, the Unitel option is usually the better value, while for very short trips with low data needs, Airalo can be cheaper.
Important: your smartphone must be eSIM-capable and unlocked. After purchase you have 45 days to activate it, and the QR code can only be installed once - if you change devices, you'll need a new eSIM. According to the provider, unlimited packages can be renewed a maximum of two times.
Where the network is reliable - and where it isn't.
Network quality varies notably between the touristically developed islands and the more rural ones. A note on sourcing: these ratings are based on recurring first-hand reports from travelers and digital nomads, not on an official carrier coverage map.
Sal Good
Consistently good 4G coverage, even away from Santa Maria.
Boa Vista Good
Reliable network in Sal Rei and the resort areas, somewhat weaker inland.
Santiago Good
Praia and surroundings well served, rural mountain regions with limitations.
São Vicente Good
Mindelo, the country's second-largest city, is well connected.
Santo Antão Patchy
Repeated dead zones documented in the mountain valleys (e.g. Paul, Ribeira Grande).
Fogo & Brava Partly patchy
Main towns are served, more remote villages and the volcano region have limitations.
5G isn't live nationwide yet
At the time of research, Cape Verde was in the 5G pilot/testing phase, with a stated target horizon of around 2027 for a broader rollout - nationwide 5G is not yet a reality. Trade publication Telecompaper even quotes CVTelecom's CEO directly: both operators (CVTelecom and Unitel) are deliberately prioritizing further 4G expansion over 5G, citing their ongoing 4G investments. For your stay, rely on stable 4G/LTE, not 5G speeds.
Starlink as a gap filler.
Since December 2024, Starlink has been available in the country with official approval from the Cape Verdean government - a relevant option for expats, digital nomads, or anyone who needs reliable internet on one of the islands with weaker mobile coverage (Santo Antão, Brava, rural Fogo). Monthly costs are roughly in the range of the equivalent of 3,500-5,700 CVE plus the one-time hardware purchase - check current rates directly with Starlink, as prices can change.
Sources & status of this page
- Official Unitel T+ "Morabeza" eSIM added (22.10.2026): package names, data volumes, durations and prices retrieved and verified directly from the official provider page esim.uniteltmais.cv (7 packages: Morabeza 10/15/25 with 10/15/25 GB over 10-15 days for €10-25; Morabeza ilimitado 10/20/30/45 with unlimited data over 1-15 days for €10-45, each with 30 free minutes). No ID document required for purchase (just an account signup), 45-day activation window, QR code installable only once, unlimited packages renewable a maximum of two times according to the provider.
- Alou/CVTelecom renaming: the consolidation of the CVT brands (Zap, CVmultimedia, CVMóvel) under "Alou" in July 2023 is consistently confirmed by Telecompaper and the Cape Verdean daily newspaper expressodasilhas.cv.
- Unitel T+ since 2007: market entry as the second operator ("T+") took place on 21.12.2007, with the takeover by Angola's Unitel group following only in 2012 - per Wikipedia's sourcing. This page describes only the continuous market presence since 2007, not the exact takeover date.
- Starlink since December 2024: Cape Verde's regulator ARME granted nationwide approval in October 2024, with the official market launch following in December 2024 - confirmed via several independent tech/Africa trade media outlets (including Space in Africa, Telecompaper coverage).
- 5G pilot phase, target horizon ~2027: according to Telecompaper/Developing Telecoms, the 5G pilot phase began in 2026, with a commercial rollout targeted for 2027/2028 - the direct CVTelecom CEO quote on deliberately prioritizing 4G over 5G is verified via a dedicated Telecompaper article.
- eSIM prices (Airalo, approx. $8-9.50/1 GB): a benchmark figure as of research time - prices at Airalo and comparable providers fluctuate depending on duration/data volume and exchange rate, so there's no guarantee of the current day's price.
- Coverage by island: the ratings (good: Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago, São Vicente; patchy: Santo Antão, Fogo, Brava) are based on recurring reports in digital-nomad and travel forums, not on an official carrier coverage map - to be understood as an experience-based estimate, not measurement data. As of 18.10.2026 this note also appears directly next to the island rating itself, not just here.
- "4G/LTE widely available nationwide" refined (18.10.2026): ARME's 2025 mobile network quality report (field measurements May-November 2025 in settlements, along transport corridors, and in inland areas) supports availability in many inhabited areas, but not a blanket guarantee at every address - "widely available nationwide" was refined accordingly.
- Starlink hero stat refined (18.10.2026): previously the hero section only said "Starlink officially available" without the distinction - already documented in the source block - between ARME approval (October 2024) and market launch (December 2024); both dates are now visible.
Questions about SIM & Internet.
Which network operators are there in Cape Verde?
Two: Alou (the long-standing incumbent, renamed in 2023) and Unitel T+ (active since 2007, part of Angola's Unitel group).
Is there 5G in Cape Verde yet?
Not nationwide yet - as of September 2026, 5G is in a pilot phase, with a target horizon of around 2027 for a broader rollout.
Is an eSIM worth it for a vacation?
For short stays, yes - providers like Airalo offer data packages from around $8-9.50 for 1 GB, without a physical SIM card. Alternatively, there's the official Unitel T+ "Morabeza" eSIM directly from the local operator, with packages from €10/10 GB up to unlimited data from €20.
Does Starlink work in Cape Verde?
Yes, officially permitted since December 2024 - a good option for regions with weak mobile coverage.
On which islands is coverage weakest?
Santo Antão (especially in the mountain valleys), along with parts of Fogo, Brava, and São Nicolau away from the main towns.
Network coverage, rates, and the 5G rollout status change continuously - this page does not replace checking current terms directly with the relevant provider before departure. Figures are based on publicly available sources as of research time (September 2026).
Related topics.
On to the next topic.
Power, drinking water, and internet infrastructure in detail.