Nedbank has become the seventh bank to officially join the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) new digital initiative to expand access to Smart ID cards and passport services across South Africa.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber confirmed in a tweet on Friday that Nedbank has signed on to the department’s revamped partnership drive, following the recent participation of Absa, African Bank, Capitec, Discovery Bank, FNB and Standard Bank.
The department has set a bold goal of partnering with 100 banks by the end of 2025 and reaching 1 000 branches nationwide by the end of the medium-term period (2028/29).
This would mark a major expansion from the 30 branches currently offering services under the older pilot programme.
From Pilot to Nationwide Rollout
Previously, Smart ID and passport applications through banks were conducted under a limited pilot, where selected branches hosted satellite DHA offices using parallel systems.
This approach led to slow adoption, with most services confined to urban areas.
Under the new model, bank branches will digitally integrate with the DHA’s upgraded live capture system, eliminating duplication and cutting inefficiencies.
The department believes this shift will streamline processing, reduce fraud, and increase access, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
“We want to bring Home Affairs to the people. Smart IDs should not be a luxury for urban residents only,” said Schreiber.
Nedbank’s Expansion Plans
While Nedbank has not released specific rollout figures, the bank is expected to expand significantly from the six branches currently offering DHA services.
Other banks, such as FNB, Standard Bank, and Capitec, are targeting a combined 840 branches within the next 12 months alone.
The only major banks yet to join the new system are Investec – which already provides services at its Sandton headquarters – and TymeBank, which has been publicly at odds with Minister Schreiber.
Why the Shift? Phasing Out the Green ID Book
At the core of this rollout is the government’s plan to discontinue the barcoded green ID book, which is widely used in fraud and identity theft cases across the continent.
Schreiber has announced his intention to stop issuing the green ID by the end of 2025, and to phase it out entirely by 2029.
“The green ID book is outdated and insecure. The Smart ID is the future, and access must be expanded accordingly,” he said.
The DHA’s Online Verification System (OVS), plagued by 50% downtime, had previously deterred bank participation.
However, regulatory changes now allow the department to use third-party IT providers, bypassing the problematic state agency, SITA.
Bringing Services Closer to Communities
One of the key goals of the initiative is to make identity and travel documentation services more accessible, especially in communities with limited Home Affairs offices.
Capitec and FNB have already committed to rolling out services in non-urban and underserved areas.
The department believes this public-private partnership could transform how South Africans access essential government documents – making it faster, more secure, and more convenient.
For more information, citizens are encouraged to check with their local bank branches or visit the Department of Home Affairs’ website for updates on participating locations.
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