KnowRoaming gets DNI investment to expand eSIM business in Africa

TL;DR

• DNI said this week that it has invested in KnowRoaming.
• KnowRoaming was sold to eSimplified in 2024 and has been rebuilt around consumer and enterprise travel eSIM services.
• KnowRoaming said Africa is a primary target for expansion and is launching KR.One, a single installed eSIM that can take new plans for each trip.

DNI said this week that it has invested in KnowRoaming as part of more than R2.1-billion committed across its connectivity and technology portfolio. DNI said the investment will support KnowRoaming's expansion in consumer reach and international footprint, with Africa as a primary target market.

KnowRoaming was sold to eSimplified in 2024, and executive director Michael Roffey has led the rebuilding of the business around consumer and enterprise travel eSIM services. The company said it is embedding its eSIM service in banks, telecoms businesses, and travel platforms, and has also launched an enterprise service for employee travel connectivity.

KnowRoaming traces its origins to a SIM-based roaming product developed more than a decade ago by South African entrepreneur Gregory Gundelfinger and co-founder Mathew Stein. The company said its earlier Global SIM Sticker enabled voice and data use in more than 200 countries without replacing the home SIM card.

KnowRoaming said it is launching KR.One, a product that lets a customer install one eSIM and add plans for different trips instead of buying a new eSIM for each country. The company said this approach is intended to replace the single-purchase model commonly used for travel eSIMs.