Absa joins Home Affairs digital Smart ID rollout as partnership expands

The Department of Home Affairs has expanded its digital service partnership with the banking sector after Absa officially launched Smart ID application services, becoming the fourth bank to participate in the initiative.

Absa joins Capitec, Standard Bank and First National Bank in offering the service, giving South Africans access to Smart ID applications through a combined network of 296 participating bank branches nationwide.

As part of the latest phase of the rollout, 12 Absa branches have already been activated to provide Home Affairs Smart ID services. The bank plans to expand the service to an additional 60 branches before the end of 2026.

The department also announced that Absa will introduce a new mobile service, known as Bank on the Move, aimed at extending secure Home Affairs services to more communities. More details about the initiative are expected to be revealed during the official launch.

The Digital Partnership has already processed more than 385,000 Smart ID applications, reflecting increasing public demand for easier access to digital government services and encouraging South Africans to replace the older green barcoded ID book with the more secure Smart ID card.

Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the rapid growth of the partnership highlights the department's drive to modernise service delivery through digital innovation.

He said processing more than 385,000 Smart ID applications within four months showed that South Africans were embracing a quicker, safer and more convenient way of accessing Home Affairs services.

Schreiber added that the Home Affairs @ Home reform programme aims to expand the Digital Partnership to 750 participating bank branches by the end of the year. He said initiatives such as Bank on the Move would help bring secure and accessible Smart ID services closer to where people live and work.