Capitec rolls out Smart ID services at new South Africa branches  

Capitec, a leading retail bank, has launched its in-branch Smart ID service in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). After a successful pilot phase, the service is now available in select branches, with plans to expand to 100 locations by mid-2026. 

Clients can apply for a Smart ID through dedicated in-branch Self-Service Terminals (SSTs) without prior appointments. The paperless process takes under five minutes and connects directly to DHA systems, allowing secure, real-time processing. Applicants receive a notification when their ID is ready for collection.

Making access simpler and fairer 

For millions of South Africans, obtaining an identity document has long involved long trips, hours in queues, and lost income. Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber notes that more than 4.4 million people over the age of 16 do not have either a green ID book or Smart ID card. 

“The partnership with Capitec marks a historic step in transforming how South Africans access their identity documents,” Schreiber said. “By bringing Smart ID services into bank branches, people no longer have to travel far or wait in long lines.

This is practical public-private collaboration that helps every South African obtain the identity they need to participate fully in our economy and democracy.” 

Currently, only 190 of DHA’s 349 offices can process Smart IDs. Capitec, with its 860 branches spanning urban, township, and rural areas, aims to ease this pressure while bringing critical services closer to communities.

Technology and efficiency 

Capitec is the first bank to offer Smart ID services without relying on stationed DHA officials. The bank developed a digital integration using Amazon Web Services, connecting in-branch SSTs directly to DHA systems. This allows Capitec to scale the service efficiently, maintain stability, and deploy security updates rapidly. 

“Our SSTs simplify everyday transactions,” said Graham Lee, Capitec Group CEO. “By digitising processes, we reduce waiting times and return valuable hours to clients. Providing access to identity documents is essential for economic participation and social inclusion.”

Building a connected service ecosystem 

The application fee is R150 ($8.93), including the standard DHA fee of R140 ($8.34) and a R10 ($0.6) service fee for logistics. Capitec’s biometric technology enables applications without paperwork. 

“We are building a service ecosystem where banking, connectivity, and identity coexist,” Lee said. “Clients trust us with their money and data. Through this partnership with DHA, we are giving them the most important key to financial participation—their identity.” 

Capitec serves 24 million clients

Founded in 2001 by Michiel Le Roux, Jannie Mouton, and Riaan Stassen, Capitec has over 24 million active clients and employs more than 16,900 staff across 880 branches.

Lee, who became CEO in July 2025, joined Capitec in 2003 and has held leadership roles in credit, technology, and personal banking operations. 

Under his leadership, Capitec announced in December that it will acquire Walletdoc Holdings for up to R400 million ($23.86 million), a move that strengthens the bank’s payment solutions for personal and business clients.