South Africans will soon have significantly more locations where they can apply for Smart ID cards as the Department of Home Affairs moves ahead with one of its largest digital service expansions.
The department announced that its partnership with the banking sector will grow from just over250participating branches to750branches nationwide by the end of the year. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader “Home Affairs @ Home” programme, which aims to make public services more accessible through digital technology rather than requiring citizens to visit traditional government offices.
The expansion is being implemented alongside the Border Management Authority and Government Printing Works as part of a wider effort to modernise identity management and public service delivery.
The latest rollout follows reforms introduced after the formation of South Africa’s Government of National Unity (GNU) in2024, with Home Affairs identifying digital transformation as a key priority.
Bank partnership brings government services closer to communities
The collaboration between Home Affairs and the banking industry initially began as a pilot involving selected branches of Nedbank, Standard Bank, Absa, Investec, Discovery Bank and FNB. During the early phase, approximately30branches offered Smart ID services, primarily in major urban centres.
The department has since introduced a revised operating model that gives participating banks greater access to Home Affairs systems while allowing departmental officials to focus on other services. Capitec has also joined the programme, expanding its reach to millions of additional customers.
According to Home Affairs,252bank branches are already processing Smart ID replacement applications. More than300,000applications have been completed within four months under the expanded partnership.
Officials expect the network to increase to750branches before the end of the year. While the current focus remains on Smart ID services, work is already underway to introduce passport applications through participating banks in the future.
Digital identity strategy extends beyond South Africa
The Smart ID expansion forms part of a broader strategy led by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber to replace South Africa’s Green ID books, which authorities have repeatedly identified as among the country’s most vulnerable identity documents due to fraud.
During the2025/26financial year, Home Affairs issued a record four million Smart ID cards, surpassing previous annual averages by more than1.3million cards.
The department is also preparing the country’s Digital Identity system after publishing draft regulations for the new platform. Once implemented, the initiative is expected to allow South Africans to access identity services securely through their smartphones.
Digital reforms are also being extended to South Africans living abroad. Following a Constitutional Court ruling on citizenship legislation, Home Affairs has introduced an automated online citizenship reinstatement portal and established dedicated service centres for citizens overseas.
Officials say future phases of the programme will digitise Smart ID and passport applications for South Africans abroad using technology similar to the banking partnership operating domestically.
Minister Leon Schreiber said innovations such as five-minute paperless Smart ID applications at hundreds of bank branches demonstrate how technology can improve public service delivery, adding that the department intends to continue expanding digital services nationwide.
Source: Department of Home Affairs.