What Electrical Plugs are used in Southern and East Africa?

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BY Faatima Suliman

5 MIN READ

What Electrical Plugs are used in Southern and East Africa?

Travelling through Africa is about capturing the precious moments of being in the wild.

In order to do that, apart from being present in the moment, you need a fully charged camera and cell phone. No matter where you travel, whether you are crossing the salt pans of Botswana or the bustling markets of Maputo, one constant is the need for power. Without it, a dead GPS could turn your adventure into a nightmare, and a dead camera could mean not capturing a leopard in a tree.

Africa is a massive continent with confusing electrical points, unless you know which plugs to carry with you on your travels. From the chunky three-prong plugs of the south to the sleek two-pins of the north, knowing which plugs work where will ensure you are always charged up.

Africa’s Most Common Plug Types

There are three main plug types you will encounter on your journey through Africa. There are:

Type C (The Europlug): This has two round pins and is very common for low-power devices.
Type G (The British Plug): This has three rectangular blades, is sturdy, and common.
Type M (The South African Plug): This has three large round pins in a triangle and is very common in South Africa.

africas most common plug types

Which Plug For Which Country

If you are exploring the beautiful southern tip of Africa – Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland (Eswatini) – you will most likely encounter the Type M plug. It’s a unique, bulky plug which is often impossible to find outside the region. Carry a few adapters before leaving for your journey to make sure you aren’t in a pickle.

Note: Some places in South Africa like Cape Town and Port Elizabeth are starting to include Type N plugs (a slimmer three-pin plug), or Type C. But do not count on it, and still carry your Type M plug and adapters.

If you are heading toward the Great Lakes of East Africa, or the savannah of the East, you will need the British-style Type G plug. This includes places like Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Note: Tanzania also uses Type D plugs, and Zambia uses Type C, Type D and Type G.

There are some regions that use a variety of different plugs, which means you will need to either carry these specific adapters or a universal adapter to ensure you are able to power up. The Central African Republic uses Type C and Type E, while the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) uses Type C, Type D and Type E. Mozambique, on the other hand, uses a mix of Type C, Type F and Type M.

Note: If you are near the South African border or in Maputo, Type M is the standard. If you’re further north, expect the European Type C.

The table below shows a streamlined and organized version of your African Plug & Outlet Guide, grouped by region to help with travel planning. Click on the Plug Types to view the different plugs.

Country	Region	Plug Types	Pro-Tips for Overlanders
Botswana	Southern	M	Mostly the chunky South African 3-pin.
Namibia	Southern	M	Same as South Africa; very sturdy for rugged travel.
South Africa	Southern	M (C, G, N)	Type M is standard. Newer hotels use Type N (slim 3-pin). Watch for 250V in Gqeberha/Makhanda.
Eswatini	Southern	M	Fully compatible with South African gear.
Mozambique	Southern / Coastal	C, F, M	Type M dominant in the South; Type C common as you move North.
Zimbabwe	Southern / Eastern	D, G	Primarily British styles.
Zambia	Central / Eastern	C, D, G	High variety! You’ll likely need at least two different adapters here.
Malawi	Eastern	G	Uses the British rectangular 3-pin standard.
Tanzania	Eastern	D, G	Mix of old and new British standards.
Uganda	Eastern	G	British standard; replacements are easy to find in cities.
DRC	Central	C, D, E	A real “plug lottery.” Bring a high-quality universal kit.
Central African Rep.	Central	C, E	Standard European 2-pin style.

Overlanding Power Essentials

When on your overlanding journey, you will be living on the overland vehicle most of the time. Prepare for more than just a wall socket with these travel tips:

Buy Smart
Don’t buy five different adapters. Buy one high-quality local adapter for the country you are in, and plug a multi-socket power strip from your home country into it. This allows you to charge your laptop, phone, and drone batteries simultaneously using the plugs you already own.
Respect the Voltage
Most of Africa runs on 220–240V. If you are coming from North America (110V), check your devices. Most modern electronics (laptops/phones) are dual-voltage, but things like hair dryers or specialized tools will go up in smoke if you don’t use a transformer.
The Dust Factor
Overlanding is a really dusty adventure. The fine red African dust gets everywhere, including the charging ports and sockets, causing arcs and poor connections. Keep your adapters in a sealed Ziploc bag when not in use, and give your charging ports a quick blow of air occasionally.

Whether you are exploring the undiscovered dunes of the Kalahari, or trekking the second tallest mountain in Kenya, being powered up with the right cables will ensure your overlanding journey is an unforgettable one.

Browse these amazing safari itineraries from African Overland Tours to plan an unforgettable trip into the wild heart of Africa.

N.B: This blog was first written by Amy Saville on January 28, 2014. It was rewritten and republished by Faatima Suliman on April 16, 2026.