Absa and Department of Home Affairs launch South Africa's first bank-based mobile unit for Smart ID renewals

Absa and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) today officially launched South Africa's first bank-based mobile unit for Smart ID renewals, marking the next phase of their partnership to expand access to essential identity services.

The launch, held at Absa's Tembisa branch, demonstrated how government and the private sector can work together to make Home Affairs services more accessible through secure digital integration, an expanded branch network and mobile service capability.

The mobile unit, which will initially operate in Gauteng, is designed to take selected Home Affairs services directly to remote, peri-urban and underserved communities. It complements the expansion of Home Affairs services to additional Absa branches and new digital functionality on the Absa Banking App, where customers can book appointments and track their applications.

Minister of Home Affairs Dr Leon Schreiber said the launch represents another milestone in the Department's Home Affairs @ home reform programme.

“For years, the greatest obstacle to replacing the fraud-prone green barcoded ID book has been limited access to the alternative, in the form of the Smart ID. In just four and a half months, our Digital Partnership with South Africa's banking sector has expanded the footprint of Home Affairs Smart ID services from 214 locations to 541, with around 750 participating bank branches expected by the end of this year. Today's launch of South Africa's first bank-based Home Affairs mobile unit is another major step towards Home Affairs @ home, bringing secure identity services closer to where South Africans live, work and bank."

Absa Group Chief Executive Officer Kenny Fihla said the partnership reflects the role trusted institutions can play in supporting national priorities while improving customers' everyday experiences.

"Identity is fundamental to economic participation. This partnership allows us to use Absa's infrastructure, digital capability and national footprint to help make an essential public service more accessible. It demonstrates how collaboration between government and the private sector can remove practical barriers while maintaining the highest standards of security, governance and customer experience."

Speaking at the launch, Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, Chief Executive: Personal and Private Banking Pan-Africa at Absa Group, said the initiative is centred on solving real customer needs.

"Customers want services that are accessible, secure and easy to use. By combining our physical branch network with mobile capability and digital integration, we are helping bring critical identity services closer to communities while supporting the Department's vision of expanding access responsibly."

The partnership introduces a new digitally integrated service model that enables customers to access eligible Home Affairs services directly through participating Absa branches and the Absa Banking App. The service is enabled through the Department of Home Affairs' secure Digital API Gateway, which connects participating banks directly to Home Affairs systems while ensuring that the Department remains the custodian of all national identity data.

As part of the rollout, 12 additional Absa branches will begin offering Smart ID renewal services from 20 July 2026, with a further 60 branches expected to be added by the end of the year. During the initial phase, eligible customers will be able to replace lost, stolen or damaged Smart ID cards, convert green barcoded ID books to Smart ID cards, and update cards following changes in marital status. Existing Absa branches currently offering passport and Home Affairs services will continue operating as normal.

The launch included a live demonstration of the customer journey, showcasing the integrated service model and the digital capabilities available through the Absa Banking App.

The initiative supports the Department of Home Affairs' broader objective of expanding access to identity services through a combination of physical, digital and mobile channels, while helping accelerate the transition to the more secure Smart ID card.