MTN Rwanda develops paper-based SIM cards

In Rwanda, telecommunications company MTN Rwanda is developing biodegradable SIM cards based on paper.

According to the company, over 4 billion plastic SIM cards are produced annually.  MTN Rwanda’s bioSIM cards are made from 100% Forest Stewardship Council-certified raw materials, meaning the paper comes from sustainably managed forests.

SIM cards, or Subscriber Identity Module cards, are small, removable smart cards used in mobile phones and other cellular devices to store information about the subscriber on a mobile network. Developing Telecoms noted that MVNO Virgin Mobile Kuwait launched a similar initiative in 2022.