South Africans will soon be able to apply for smart IDs and passports through their banking apps, following a new agreement announced by Home Affairs Minister, Leon Schreiber.
The deal was signed on 8 April 2025, between the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), the Border Management Authority (BMA), Government Printing Works (GPW), and the South African Revenue Service (SARS), aims to integrate key government services into digital banking platforms as part of a broader push to modernise public administration.
The initiative, formalised at the Union Buildings, builds on a Cabinet-approved partnership framework from December 2024. It seeks to streamline the application process for identity and travel documents by leveraging the technological infrastructure of South Africa’s banking sector. Citizens will be able to submit applications, track progress, and receive updates directly through participating bank apps, reducing the need for in-person visits or paper-based submissions, which have long been criticised for delays and inefficiencies.
Minister Schreiber described the agreement as a “critical milestone” in the government’s digital transformation agenda, emphasising its potential to enhance service delivery.
“This partnership harnesses existing systems to make Home Affairs more accessible,” he said during the announcement. The collaboration with SARS is expected to bolster data integration and security, while the BMA and GPW will focus on ensuring the efficient production and issuance of documents.
The move is part of a series of reforms under Schreiber’s tenure, which include efforts to digitise Home Affairs processes, strengthen border security, and address operational bottlenecks.
Furthermore, the minister highlighted the agreement as a response to South Africa’s evolving needs, 31 years into democracy, noting that it aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call for innovative governance solutions.
Implementation is set to begin later in 2025, with the DHA working alongside major financial institutions to roll out the service. However, specifics about which banks will participate and how the system will accommodate citizens without access to digital banking remain unclear. The government has also not outlined contingency plans for potential technical challenges or cybersecurity risks, which could complicate the transition.
Over and above this, the agreement extends beyond Home Affairs, with SARS expected to benefit from reciprocal cooperation as it pursues its own modernization goals. This cross-agency collaboration reflects a strategic effort to align government entities under a unified digital framework, though its success will hinge on execution and public uptake.
While the initiative promises to simplify access to essential services, its effectiveness will only be measurable once fully operational.
The DHA has pledged to provide further updates as the rollout progresses, with South Africans awaiting clarity on how this shift will impact their day-to-day interactions with government systems.
The partnership, signed by Home Affairs Director-General Livhuwani Tommy Makhode, SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, BMA Commissioner Dr. Michael Masiapato, and GPW Acting CEO Lolo Raseroka, establishes a formal cooperation framework across the four entities. Beyond enabling banking app applications, the agreement facilitates staff secondments and resource sharing to address capacity constraints and enhance operational efficiency. This includes leveraging SARS’s expertise in digital systems to support Home Affairs’ ongoing digitisation efforts.
Minister Schreiber underscored the practical benefits of this collaboration, stating, “Through this agreement, we are supercharging Home Affairs’ capacity to deliver services by drawing on the resources and expertise of SARS, the BMA, and GPW.”
He further elaborated on the initiative’s impact, saying, “Through this agreement, Home Affairs will integrate its systems with banking apps to allow citizens to apply for smart IDs and passports faster and more conveniently than ever before.”
This integration, he argued, taps into the widespread use of banking apps to reach a broader population.
The initiative also aims to address long-standing issues within Home Affairs, such as backlogs and limited access to services in rural areas. Schreiber emphasized the empowerment aspect, noting, “This is about giving power back to the people – real power, not just promises – by allowing South Africans to access Home Affairs services through the same apps they use every day to manage their finances.” He positioned this as a transformative step, adding, “Three decades into democracy, we must continue to innovate and evolve to deliver the services our people deserve.”
For SARS, the agreement offers reciprocal advantages, including access to Home Affairs’ data verification capabilities to improve tax compliance and revenue collection. The BMA, tasked with securing South Africa’s borders, will benefit from enhanced coordination with Home Affairs and GPW to ensure the integrity of travel documents. Meanwhile, GPW’s role in producing secure identity materials will be supported by the technological upgrades facilitated through this partnership.
Schreiber framed the agreement as a continuation of efforts to build a capable state, echoing President Ramaphosa’s vision for a digitally enabled government.
“This agreement is proof that we can evolve to meet the needs of our people through innovation,” he said, reinforcing the initiative’s alignment with national priorities. However, challenges remain, including ensuring equitable access for those without smartphones or bank accounts and mitigating risks such as data breaches or system failures.
The government has not yet released a detailed timeline beyond the planned 2025 rollout, nor has it specified how it will measure the initiative’s success. As the DHA and its partners move forward, public response and practical outcomes will likely shape the future of this ambitious digital overhaul.
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