South Africa to Launch Digital ID by Year-End in Major Digital Transformation Milestone

The South African government has confirmed that the rollout of Digital Identification (Digital ID) systems is expected to take place before the end of the year, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation agenda. The update was provided during a media briefing on the progress of the Medium-Term Development Plan (MTDP) 2024–2029 by the Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa.

Digital ID forms a central pillar of government’s broader efforts to build a capable, ethical, and developmental state, with digital transformation identified as a key enabler of improved service delivery and public-sector efficiency. The initiative is part of a wider suite of reforms that include digital payments, expanded connectivity, and integrated digital platforms aimed at modernising interactions between citizens and the state.

Government officials noted that Digital ID will support high-impact public services such as social grant payments, health records, and secure access to government systems. Alongside the Digital ID rollout, initiatives such as the MyMzansi citizen platform prototype and the MzansiXchange information-sharing pilot are already underway, laying the foundation for a more connected digital government ecosystem.

While progress has been made, the government acknowledged ongoing challenges, including uneven digital capacity across departments, cybersecurity risks, and digital skills gaps. To address these issues, the MTDP prioritises accelerated cloud migration, stronger data governance, and enhanced digital literacy and cybersecurity capabilities across the public sector.

The launch of Digital ID before year-end is expected to significantly improve service delivery, reduce fraud, and enhance trust in government systems, reinforcing digital transformation as a cornerstone of South Africa’s development strategy under the MTDP 2024–2029.