South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is expanding its digital partnership program by adding Absa and Discovery Bank, bringing the total number of participating banks to five. The initiative allows citizens to apply for Smart IDs and passports at bank branches rather than visiting traditional Home Affairs offices, easing congestion and extending access to essential services.
Growing Network of Service Points
The expansion builds on earlier partnerships with Capitec, First National Bank (FNB), and Standard Bank. With Absa and Discovery now on board, the program will grow from around 30 pilot branches to more than 840 bank locations nationwide within 12 months. FNB plans to roll out services to 240 branches, while Standard Bank will extend access to 300. The Department of Home Affairs has set a long-term goal of reaching over 1,000 service points by 2029.
“This is a major step forward in our mission to bring government services closer to the people and to ensure that every South African, no matter where they live, can access essential documents with ease,” said Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber. The expansion is part of the government’s broader digital transformation initiative launched earlier this year.
Technology and Efficiency Improvements
The Department has reported that the upgraded Online Verification System (OVS) has improved both speed and accuracy, cutting error rates to below one percent and reducing processing times to under a second. Officials say the expanded bank network is expected to further reduce wait times and improve service delivery in both urban and rural areas.
The program also includes digital integration: citizens will eventually be able to book and manage applications directly through FNB and Standard Bank mobile apps. The Department has framed the initiative as part of its effort to use public-private collaboration to modernize citizen services and improve transparency.
Future Outlook
Existing bank partnerships have already reduced congestion at traditional Home Affairs offices, with thousands of citizens applying for documents through bank branches since the program’s launch. Invitations to join have been extended to other banks, including Nedbank and TymeBank, as the government seeks to broaden coverage further. By expanding capacity through banking infrastructure, the Department aims to strengthen accessibility and build a foundation for a modern, digital identity system.
The move comes as South Africa implements major upgrades to its digital ID system, a central plank of its long-term digital governance strategy. With Absa and Discovery now in the fold, more citizens will be able to access identity services closer to home, advancing the country’s push toward more efficient, technology-enabled government services.
Sources: IOL, News24, TechCentral, Gov.za
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By the ID Tech Editorial Team
