South Africans can now apply for Smart ID cards at selected Absa branches after the bank officially joined the Department of Home Affairs' Digital Partnership Model.
Absa becomes the fourth bank to offer Home Affairs Smart ID services, expanding access to convenient digital identity services across the country.
Matric learners are urged to ensure that they have a valid ID card as they are required for all Matric final exams.
Absa Joins Home Affairs Digital Partnership
The Department of Home Affairs has announced that Absa is now providing digital Smart ID application services at selected branches.
The bank joins Capitec, Standard Bank and First National Bank (FNB), giving South Africans access to Home Affairs Smart ID services through a growing network of 296 participating bank branches nationwide.
As part of the initial rollout, 12 Absa branches are now operational, with a further 60 branches expected to begin offering the service before the end of 2026.
New Mobile Smart ID Service Planned
In addition to expanding services at its branches, Absa will introduce Bank on the Move, a mobile service designed to bring Home Affairs services to more communities.
The Department of Home Affairs said additional details about the mobile service will be announced during the official rollout.
More Than 385,000 Smart ID Applications Processed
The Digital Partnership between Home Affairs and the banking sector has already processed more than 385,000 Smart ID applications, highlighting growing demand for faster and more convenient government services.
The initiative aims to make it easier for South Africans to replace the older green barcoded ID books with the more secure Smart ID cards.
Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber said the rapid expansion of the partnership demonstrates the success of the department's digital transformation strategy.
"The rapid expansion of our Digital Partnership with the banking sector demonstrates the success of our vision to fundamentally transform Home Affairs service delivery through digital innovation.
“Processing more than 385 000 Smart ID applications in just four months demonstrates that South Africans are embracing a faster, more secure and more convenient way of accessing Home Affairs services,” Home Affairs Minister, Dr Leon Schreiber, said.
Home Affairs Aims To Expand Smart ID Services
Schreiber said the department plans to significantly increase access to Smart ID services through its Home Affairs @ home reform programme.
The goal is to expand the Digital Partnership to 750 participating bank branches by the end of 2026, while introducing innovations such as Bank on the Move to bring government services closer to where people live and work.
“Under our Home Affairs @ home reform programme, which includes expanding our new Digital Partnership to 750 participating bank branches by the end of this year, together with innovations such as Bank on the Move, we are bringing secure and dignified access to Smart ID services closer to where people live and work," Schreiber said.
The expansion of the Digital Partnership is expected to improve access to Home Affairs services while reducing waiting times and making Smart ID applications more convenient for South Africans.
