Travelling to Dubai, Riyadh, Cairo, Marrakech, Nairobi, Cape Town or Lagos and confused about which adapter you need? The electric plug types in Africa and the Middle East are more varied than in Europe or North America. You’ll see European‑style round pins, UK‑style three‑pin sockets, older Indian‑style plugs and some new standards like Type N.
This detailed 2026 guide explains:
- The main plug types used in Africa & the Middle East
- The voltage and frequency you’ll find
- A country‑by‑country list of plug types
- What kind of travel adapter you should pack based on where you live and where you’re going
You can bookmark this page and check it before every trip.
1. Plug Types & Voltage in Africa & the Middle East
1.1 Key Plug Types in This Region
You’ll mainly see these plug letters:
- Type C – Europlug (two round pins)
- Very common in North Africa and many ex‑French or ex‑European influenced countries.
- Often used for low‑power devices like chargers.
- Type E/F – Grounded European plugs
- Type E: two round pins + earth contact in socket (common in France/Belgium style).
- Type F: Schuko plug used in Germany, Spain and many other European countries.
- Found in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and some sub‑Saharan countries.
- Type G – UK‑style three rectangular pins (fused)
- Standard in UK and Ireland, but also widely used in:
- Gulf states: UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait
- Many African countries with British influence, such as Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda.
- Standard in UK and Ireland, but also widely used in:
- Type D – Three small round pins
- Older Indian/UK style; used in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and in some East/Southern African countries.
- Type M – Three large round pins
- A larger version of Type D.
- Very common in South Africa, Namibia, and some neighboring countries, especially for heavy appliances.
- Type N – Newer three‑pin round standard
- Official standard in Brazil and new installations in South Africa.
- Appears in some newer hotels and buildings.
Most African & Middle Eastern countries support more than one plug type. It’s normal to find multi‑standard sockets that accept C and G, or D and M, in the same property.
1.2 Voltage & Frequency
Almost all African and Middle Eastern countries use:
- Voltage: 220–240 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Notable exceptions:
- Some older areas in Saudi Arabia and a few other places may still have 110–127 V circuits alongside 220–240 V, but most modern hotels use the higher 220–240 V standard.
To avoid damaging your devices:
- If your charger label says “Input: 100–240 V ~ 50/60 Hz”, it is dual‑voltage – you only need a plug adapter.
- If it says something like “110–120 V 60 Hz” only, it is single‑voltage – you must use a voltage converter in 220–240 V countries, or leave that device at home.
Phones, laptops, tablets and many camera chargers are usually dual‑voltage; hair dryers, straighteners and irons often are not.
2. Electric Plug Types in the Middle East by Country
We’ll start with the Middle East, including the Gulf and surrounding countries.
2.1 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States
United Arab Emirates (UAE – Dubai, Abu Dhabi, etc.)
- Plug types: C, D, G
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Notes:
- Modern hotels and malls mainly use Type G (UK style).
- Some sockets (especially older or multi‑standard) also accept Type C/D.
- If you carry a Type G adapter, you’ll be fine in almost all cases.
Saudi Arabia
- Plug types: G (plus A, B, C in some older buildings)
- Voltage: 230 V (historically some 127 V systems)
- Frequency: 60 Hz
Notes:
- Newer buildings, hotels and offices mostly use Type G.
- Because of mixed legacy wiring, always check that your devices are 100–240 V capable.
Qatar
- Plug type: G
- Voltage: 240 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Oman
- Plug type: G
- Voltage: 240 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Bahrain
- Plug type: G
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Kuwait
- Plug type: G
- Voltage: 240 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Summary: All GCC states primarily use Type G.
2.2 Turkey & Eastern Mediterranean
Turkey
- Plug types: C, F
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Notes:
- Same standard as much of continental Europe.
- A Europlug (Type C/F) adapter is enough.
Palestine
- Plug types: C, H
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Notes:
- Type H is unique to Israel but modern sockets often accept Type C as well.
- A good universal adapter that explicitly lists Type C/H is recommended.
Jordan
- Plug types: B, C, D, F, G
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Notes:
- Mixed standards; Type C/F and Type G are common in hotels.
- A universal adapter that covers C/D/F/G is the safest bet.
Lebanon
- Plug types: A, B, C, D, G
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Notes:
- Another country with mixed sockets; a universal adapter is highly useful.
Syria
- Plug types: C, E, L
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Iraq
- Plug types: C, D, G
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Iran
- Plug types: C, F
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
3. Electric Plug Types in Africa by Country
Now let’s move across North, East, Southern, West and Central Africa.
3.1 North Africa
Egypt
- Plug types: C, F
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Notes:
- Most chargers and European‑style adapters work fine here.
Morocco
- Plug types: C, E
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Algeria
- Plug types: C, F
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Tunisia
- Plug types: C, E
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Libya
- Plug types: C, L
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Summary: North Africa is mostly European‑style C/E/F at 220–230 V.
3.2 East Africa
Kenya
- Plug type: G
- Voltage: 240 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Tanzania
- Plug types: D, G
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Uganda
- Plug type: G
- Voltage: 240 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Ethiopia
- Plug types: C, E, F
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Rwanda
- Plug types: C, J
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Burundi
- Plug types: C, E
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Summary:
- Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania – mostly Type G, sometimes D.
- Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi – mostly Type C/E/F.
3.3 Southern Africa
South Africa
- Plug types: D, M, N
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Notes:
- Type M (large three‑pin) is very common.
- Newer installations use Type N, but D and M are still widely present.
- Many universal adapters do not include Type M, so you may need a dedicated South Africa adapter.
Namibia
- Plug types: D, M
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Botswana
- Plug types: D, G, M
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Zimbabwe
- Plug types: D, G, M
- Voltage: 240 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Mozambique
- Plug types: C, F, M
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Plug types: D, M
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Summary:
- South Africa & neighbors: expect Type M heavily, plus D/G in some places.
3.4 West & Central Africa (Selected)
Nigeria
- Plug types: D, G
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Ghana
- Plug type: G
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Senegal
- Plug types: C, D, E, K
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
- Plug types: C, E
- Voltage: 230 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Cameroon
- Plug types: C, E
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Angola
- Plug types: C
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
DR Congo
- Plug types: C, E
- Voltage: 220 V
- Frequency: 50 Hz
Summary:
- Nigeria, Ghana – strong Type G presence.
- Francophone West/Central Africa (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, DR Congo, Angola) – mainly Type C/E with 220–230 V.
4. What Adapter Should You Bring for Africa & Middle East?
Now, let’s make this practical. Your adapter needs depend on:
- Where you live now (home plug type + voltage)
- Which countries you’ll visit
4.1 If You’re From Pakistan / India / Bangladesh / Nepal
Home standard: 230 V, plugs C/D/M
For Gulf & Type G countries (UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, UK/Ireland):
- You need at least one Type G adapter.
For North Africa & C/E/F countries (Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, Cameroon, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, etc.):
- You need an adapter that supports Type C/E/F.
- Often your own Type C chargers will fit, but a proper adapter is safer.
For South Africa & neighbors (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Eswatini):
- You specifically need Type M (and possibly D).
- Many universal adapters do not cover Type M; get a dedicated “South Africa adapter”.
Best combo for multi‑country Africa & Middle East from Pakistan/India:
- 1 × Universal adapter covering C/E/F/G
- 1 × dedicated Type M adapter (for South Africa region)
- 1 × small power strip from home so you can plug multiple devices into one adapter.
4.2 If You’re From Europe (C/E/F, 230 V)
Home standard: 230 V, plugs C/E/F
For:
- North Africa & many Francophone West/Central countries:
- Your Type C/E/F often fits directly (double‑check hotel photos).
- Gulf & many Anglophone African countries (UAE, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, etc.):
- You need Type G adapters.
- South Africa & neighbors:
- You need Type M/D specific adapters.
Recommended kit:
- 1 × small EU→G adapter
- 1 × Type M adapter for South Africa
- Possibly 1 × universal adapter to cover odd sockets (D/K/J etc.).
4.3 If You’re From USA / Canada / Mexico / Japan (A/B, 110–127 V)
Home standard: 110–120 V, plugs A/B
For Africa & Middle East (mostly 220–240 V):
- You must check which of your devices are dual‑voltage (100–240 V).
- You need plug adapters for:
- G (Gulf, UK, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, etc.)
- C/E/F (North Africa, Ethiopia, Senegal, Cameroon, etc.)
- D/M (South Africa & neighbors, some East African sockets)
Many travelers in this category:
- Use a universal adapter for plug shape
- Limit their packing to dual‑voltage electronics only, avoiding converters.
5. Smart Adapter Strategy for This Region
Because Africa & Middle East combine many plug types, a smart packing strategy is:
- Start with a good universal travel adapter
- Should support at least Type A/C/G/I output
- Include multiple USB ports (USB‑A + USB‑C)
- Have surge protection and a replaceable fuse
- Add 1–2 specialized adapters
- Type G: mandatory for Gulf + many African countries
- Type M: mandatory for South Africa & nearby countries
- Carry a compact power strip from home
- Plug the strip into one adapter
- Plug all your devices (with your home plugs) into the strip
- This saves you from buying 3–4 separate adapters.
6. Safety Tips for Africa & Middle East
- Use surge protection, especially in areas with less stable grids or frequent power cuts.
- Avoid stacking multiple adapters on top of each other; instead, use one adapter + power strip.
- Test the wall socket using a phone charger first before plugging in an expensive laptop or camera.
- If you see burn marks or loose sockets, choose a different outlet or ask reception for help.
- Don’t assume every plug labeled “universal” is safe; check the load (wattage) rating if you’ll use high‑power devices.