South Africa’s push to modernise identity services is gaining momentum, with over 216,000 smart ID card applications processed through participating bank branches in just three months.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the milestone demonstrates the early success of the department’s new digital partnership programme, which aims to dramatically expand access to essential civic services by leveraging the country’s banking infrastructure.
Writing in the Sunday Times, Schreiber highlighted the initiative as one of the Department of Home Affairs’ most significant reforms since he assumed office in July 2024.
The programme allows South Africans to apply for smart ID cards at selected bank branches, reducing pressure on Home Affairs offices while making services more accessible and convenient.
Prior to the rollout, smart ID services were available at 248 Home Affairs offices and only 32 participating bank branches nationwide. That footprint has expanded significantly following partnerships with major banking institutions.
Capitec and Standard Bank became the first banks to join the initiative in March 2026, with FNB following later that month. Together, the three banks have increased the number of participating branches to 178 across South Africa.
According to Schreiber, these branches processed 216,515 smart ID applications during the programme’s first three months of operation, averaging more than 2,400 applications every day.
If that pace continues, bank branches alone could process nearly 900,000 smart ID applications annually, substantially increasing the country’s capacity to replace the ageing green barcoded ID book.
The government has long sought to phase out the green ID book due to concerns over fraud, forgery, and security vulnerabilities. Despite the widespread rollout of smart IDs, an estimated 16 million South Africans were still using the older document as recently as 2025.
The Department of Home Affairs now plans to expand the programme even further, targeting 1,000 participating bank branches before the end of 2026.
At the same time, government intends to discontinue production of green ID books entirely, a move expected to accelerate the country’s transition to the more secure smart card system.
However, challenges remain. Smart ID cards are still not universally available to all naturalised citizens and permanent residents, many of whom continue to rely on green ID books due to eligibility restrictions and operational limitations.
Schreiber has indicated that expanding access to these groups is a priority for the department, alongside introducing passport application services and support for first-time ID applicants through the banking partnership network.
Beyond physical documents, Home Affairs is also laying the groundwork for South Africa’s future digital identity ecosystem.
The minister revealed that much of the backend technology required for the country’s planned digital ID system has already been developed and is currently being utilised in other departmental services.
The proposed digital identity platform will allow citizens and permanent residents to securely verify their identity, access official documents electronically, and authenticate themselves using biometric verification through a mobile application.
Government aims to launch the digital ID system before the end of 2026 following the conclusion of a public consultation process earlier this year.
While supporters argue the platform will modernise public service delivery and improve convenience, critics have raised concerns about privacy, surveillance, and the concentration of personal data within a centralised government system.
Among those expressing concern is advocacy group Lex Libertas, which has warned that the technology could potentially be used to increase state control over citizens’ access to services.
Schreiber has dismissed those fears, maintaining that the digital ID initiative is designed to simplify interactions with government and private institutions rather than restrict them.
As Home Affairs continues its digital transformation drive, the rapid uptake of smart ID services through bank branches suggests growing public demand for faster, more accessible government services in an increasingly digital South Africa.