Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
Etisalat by e& UAE vs Safaricom
Etisalat by e& UAE
Safaricom
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | Etisalat by e& UAEReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | SafaricomReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | AED 35 | KES 200 |
| Countries covered | from 170 | 22 |
| Reference plan prices | Global: roaming packs from AED 35/day; Roam like Home from AED 100/week; Umrah and Hajj pack 7 days | US: KES 1,000 for 2,500MB (7 days); Europe incl. UK, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey: KES 1,000 for 1,500MB (7 days) and KES 5,500 for 10,000MB (30 days); UK and wider Europe: KES 200 for 10MB data, 10 minutes calls, 10 SMS (1 day); South Africa, Ghana, Netherlands, China: KES 225 for 20MB (24 hours); other networks from KES 14 per MB |
| Unlimited data | Not confirmed | No |
| 5G | Not confirmed | Yes |
| Fair use policy | Not confirmed | Capped bundles valid 24 hours, 7 days or 30 days; a new purchase is added to the remaining balance; once the bundle is depleted data is charged at published roaming rates; bundles cannot be transferred or resold |
| Networks | Not confirmed | Vodafone, Vodacom |
| Top-ups | Not confirmed | Yes |
| 10 GB in Europe | Not confirmed | KES 5,500 |
Same on both: Seller type (Carrier).
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Key differences
- Support channels: only Safaricom offers Email.
- Region: only Etisalat by e& UAE offers Global.
- Region: only Safaricom offers Regional.
- Features: only Safaricom offers 5G.
Our verdict on each
Etisalat by e& UAE
Etisalat by e& UAE is the carrier option in this group, with roaming across from 170 countries and packs from AED 35. It suits travelers who want one global plan bought from their own operator rather than a travel eSIM, and who are comfortable paying carrier roaming rates for wide reach.
Safaricom
Safaricom is a home network carrier selling roaming bundles in Kenya, so it fits a traveller leaving the country for a short trip and topping up in small steps. Coverage reaches 22 countries across Vodafone and Vodacom networks, with bundles starting at KES 200 and top-ups available.
Score breakdown
| Area | Etisalat by e& UAE | Safaricom |
|---|---|---|
| Offer | Not confirmed | 8.9Capped bundles on Vodafone and Vodacom networks across 22 countries, starting at KES 200, with top-ups available and no unlimited data. |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.3 |
How they place
| Ranking | Etisalat by e& UAE | Safaricom |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 588 of 926 | 225 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 592 of 918 | 232 of 918 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Etisalat by e& UAE | Safaricom |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Global | Regional |
| Features | Carrier plan | 5G, Carrier planCovers more |
| Audience | Short trip, Long trip | Short trip, Long trip |
| Legal entity | Not confirmed | Safaricom PLC |
| Headquarters | United Arab Emirates | Kenya |
| Founded | Not confirmed | 1997 |
| Support channels | Help centre, Chat, Phone | Chat, Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Etisalat by e& UAE | Safaricom | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries covered | from 170above the median | 22lowest quarter | 120 |
Median across 492 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
Etisalat by e& UAE
Pros
- Roaming reaches from 170 countries on a single global arrangement.
- Packs start at AED 35, with daily and weekly options plus a dedicated Umrah and Hajj pack.
- Support runs on help centre, chat and phone, so a help center, chat and a phone line are all listed.
Cons
- The entry price of AED 35 sits above the cheapest travel eSIM prices here, such as $0.99 for eSIMGo.is.
- Coverage of from 170 countries falls short of the 200 countries listed by Zwitchy.
- The daily pack is the headline figure at AED 35, so longer trips need the weekly option to keep costs down.
Safaricom
Pros
- Coverage spans 22 countries across Vodafone and Vodacom networks, which suits regional multi-country routes.
- Top-ups are available, so data does not have to be bought in one lump before departure.
- Support runs on chat, email and phone.
Cons
- Unlimited data is not offered, and once a bundle is used up data is charged at published roaming rates.
- Coverage of 22 countries is regional, so a trip outside those routes needs a separate plan.
- Other networks are billed at pay as you go rates, so travelling beyond the listed bundles can cost more than a home bundle.
Who each suits
Etisalat by e& UAE
Who it suits
- Travelers leaving the UAE who want roaming arranged by the operator they already use.
- Anyone crossing several regions on one global plan instead of stacking regional eSIMs.
- Pilgrims and long stays, since the range includes a weekly option and a dedicated Umrah and Hajj pack.
Who should look elsewhere
- Budget-first travelers, who may find a lower entry price at eSIMGo.is on $0.99.
- Travelers chasing the widest country list, where Zwitchy lists 200 countries.
- Anyone buying for one destination, who can pick a single market plan on eSIMGo.is from $0.99 instead of paying for global reach.
Safaricom
Who it suits
- Anyone leaving Kenya who already holds a Safaricom line and wants data added to it for a few weeks.
- Travellers crossing 22 countries on regional routes where Vodafone and Vodacom networks operate.
- People who would rather top up during the trip than commit to a large prepaid allowance up front.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who want a travel eSIM with no home line: eSIMGo.is starts at $0.99.
- Anyone who needs worldwide reach: Zwitchy covers 200 countries.
- Shoppers comparing a single destination eSIM on upfront price: SimToIsrael starts at $25.
Current offers
Etisalat by e& UAE
Current offer
Bonus
Get up to 3x more data on selected roaming packs plus travel benefits: Up to 3x more data on selected roaming packs
Selected roaming packs only
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Safaricom
Current offer
Bonus
One Voice Tariff: 50% airtime bonus with every top-up
Dial *544# to get started; see voice tariffs
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Changamkia YouTube na 10/-: YouTube data bundle at KES 10
Prepay data promotion, validity per bundle offer page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
Angaza Music Bundle
Prepay data bundle for music streaming, see offer page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Bonus
YouTube Shorts
Prepay data promotion, see offer page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Etisalat by e& UAE | Safaricom |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | No | Yes |
| United Arab Emirates | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Etisalat by e& UAE
How much do Etisalat by e& UAE roaming packs cost?+
Packs start at AED 35. The reference prices show a global roaming pack sold by the day, a Roam like Home option sold by the week, and a separate Umrah and Hajj pack. If the trip runs past a short break, the weekly option is the number worth comparing against daily rates.
How many countries does the roaming cover?+
Roaming reaches from 170 countries on a global plan, so one arrangement covers a multi-country trip rather than a single market. Zwitchy lists coverage across 200 countries, so the very widest list sits with a different provider.
Safaricom
How much do Safaricom roaming bundles cost?+
Bundles start at KES 200 for a small daily slice of data, and a larger long-stay European allowance is priced at KES 5,500. Reference bundles also cover the US, much of Europe, the UK, South Africa, Ghana, the Netherlands and China, with other networks billed at pay as you go rates.
How many countries does Safaricom roaming cover?+
Coverage stands at 22 countries and runs on Vodafone and Vodacom networks, so the footprint is regional rather than global. Destinations on the reference list include the US, much of Europe, South Africa, Ghana and China. A trip outside those needs a separate arrangement.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
Other rankings
Etisalat by e& UAE
Safaricom