South Africa Expands Smart ID Services to 753 Bank Branches Ahead of Schedule
The service allows citizens to walk into participating branches of ABSA, Capitec, First National Bank and Standard Bank without prior bookings or paperwork. Applications are processed using secure biometric technology, with the process taking approximately five minutes.
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has expanded its Smart ID replacement services to 753 bank branches nationwide, exceeding its target of 750 branches more than four months ahead of schedule.
The expansion follows the launch of the Department’s digital partnership with the banking sector on March 9, 2026, under the Home Affairs @ home reform agenda led by Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Leon Schreiber. The initiative initially targeted the rollout of Smart ID replacement services to 750 bank branches by the end of the 2026-27 financial year.
Eight months after the launch, the Department has surpassed that target, with more than one million South Africans already benefiting from the service.
The expansion has increased the number of locations offering Smart ID application services from 214 Home Affairs offices at the start of the current administration to 967 locations, comprising government offices and participating bank branches. This represents an increase of more than 350% in the Department’s Smart ID service footprint in 246 days.
The service allows citizens to walk into participating branches of ABSA, Capitec, First National Bank and Standard Bank without prior bookings or paperwork. Applications are processed using secure biometric technology, with the process taking approximately five minutes.
The Department said additional banks and services would be incorporated into the initiative in the coming months.
The expansion also forms part of the Department’s roadmap to phase out the green identity document book, which it described as vulnerable to fraud and identity theft, in favour of the more secure Smart ID Card. The move is intended to strengthen the security and integrity of South Africa’s identification system.
“Eight months ago, we set ourselves what many regarded as an extremely ambitious target of delivering Smart ID services to 750 bank branches by the end of March 2027. Today, we have not only achieved that target – but exceeded it with more than four months to spare. An increase in access of over 350% in just 246 days is the fastest service expansion in our history. We can now say with confidence that the days of standing in a long queue just to apply for a replacement Smart ID, are fast coming to an end. And there is so much more still to come as we continue to expand our digital partnership. For many South Africans, the idea that Home Affairs could transform at this rapid speed would once have seemed impossible. At a time when people have often complained that government falls short of its promises, Home Affairs is demonstrating that government is not only able to deliver on its commitments, but that it can, through the embrace of innovation and fundamental reform, exceed all expectations. Through our commitment to delivering world-class digital public infrastructure for the people of South Africa, we are including millions of previously excluded citizens in critical Home Affairs services at a scale and pace never seen before. Every day, we continue to accelerate our work to entirely redesign and rebuild Home Affairs for the modern age, anchored in our ceaseless quest to deliver dignity for all.”
– Dr Leon Schreiber, Minister of Home Affairs, Department of Home Affairs, South Africa
