South Africa is moving closer to a fully digital identity system, with the Department of Home Affairs stepping up efforts to replace the long-standing green barcoded ID book with modern Smart ID cards.
The shift forms part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at improving security, reducing fraud and expanding access to identity services across the country.
Expansion of smart id services through banks
Under its 2026/27 Annual Performance Plan, the department has prioritised issuing Smart ID cards to first-time applicants turning 16, targeting 800,000 new registrations within the financial year.
At the same time, reissuing Smart IDs remains a key focus, particularly with local government elections expected during the period. The department has set an annual target of 2.2 million reissued cards, supported by quarterly benchmarks.
To meet these goals, Home Affairs is rapidly expanding its partnership with South African banks. By the end of the financial year, Smart ID services are expected to be available at 200 bank branches nationwide.
This marks a significant evolution from earlier pilot programmes launched in 2016, which were limited in scale due to high operational costs and infrastructure duplication.
The newer digital partnership model allows banks to connect directly to Home Affairs systems, enabling faster rollout without the need for additional equipment.
Green id book phase-out gains momentum
The move toward Smart IDs is also driven by security concerns. Around 16 million South Africans still rely on the green ID book, which has long been identified as vulnerable to fraud.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the transition is essential to strengthening the country’s identity system and protecting citizens.
Since the launch of the new digital partnership model in March 2026, more than 146 bank branches have already gone live, with over 63,000 citizens replacing their green ID books within minutes.
Major banks, including Capitec Bank, Standard Bank and FNB, have expanded their participation, significantly increasing the number of service points available to the public.
Historically, access to Home Affairs services has often been associated with long queues and administrative delays. The new model aims to address these challenges by decentralising services and bringing them closer to communities.
Looking ahead, the department plans to scale the system to as many as 1,000 participating bank branches, marking one of the most ambitious digital service expansions in South Africa’s public sector.
Deputy Minister Njabulo Nzuza confirmed that the groundwork is being laid to fully discontinue the issuance of green ID books in the foreseeable future, signalling the end of an era in the country’s identity documentation system.
Source: Adapted from Department of Home Affairs reports
