RICA Registration Required
Just like a physical SIM card, your eSIM must be RICA registered before activation. This is a legal requirement under South African law to help protect national security and prevent fraud.

What you’ll need for RICA:
To complete your RICA registration, you’ll need:
A valid form of identification (e.g. South African ID or passport)
Proof of residence (e.g. utility bill or bank statement)
You can complete RICA in-store at any MTN outlet or via the MTN App using the self-service RICA feature.

Keep your RICA details updated

If you change your address or contact information, notify MTN to avoid service disruptions. Inaccurate or missing RICA details may result in suspension of services.

Inactive Numbers May Be Recycled

If your MTN number remains inactive for more than 90 days, meaning no calls, SMS, data usage, or recharges which results in your SIM card being deactivated and recycled.

Use Access4Life Xtender to Keep Your Number

To avoid losing your number, MTN offers the Access4Life Xtender service. This allows you to keep your number active even if you’re not using it regularly, such as when travelling or storing a backup SIM.

To activate Access4Life Xtender:

Dial 136 and follow the voice prompts
A R5 fee will be deducted every 90 days to keep your number active
You can cancel the service anytime once you're back and using your SIM again
This service is ideal for customers who want to retain their MTN number long-term, even during periods of inactivity.