African Bank has signed a landmark agreement with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) to make essential civic services more accessible to South Africans. Through this partnership, citizens will soon be able to apply for Smart ID cards at selected African Bank branches nationwide, with passport services to follow in later phases.
The initiative, which will roll out in phases to more than 100 African Bank branches across the country, is designed to bring vital government services directly into communities. The first pilot branch is scheduled to launch by March 2026.
African Bank’s ethos has long been rooted in being “for the people”, ensuring that banking and essential services are within reach of every South African. The partnership with DHA reflects that mission by extending beyond financial services into civic empowerment.
As African Bank prepares for its IPO, initiatives like this highlight the bank’s distinctive positioning in the market: a brand committed to inclusion, innovation, and service that speaks directly to the needs of ordinary South Africans. For customers, this means African Bank is a trusted enabler of everyday progress, from opening accounts to accessing the documents that make opportunities possible.
Sibongiseni Ngundze, CEO: Personal Banking at African Bank, says: “This partnership is about meeting people where they are, making essential services easier to access, and embedding them in the heart of our communities. Too often, our citizens face long travel distances, costs, and time away from work to manage important civic matters. By integrating these services into our national branch network, we are breaking down those barriers and helping people take care of their lives more simply and securely.”
Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber added; “I am delighted to welcome African Bank as the latest bank to partner with Home Affairs to enable South Africans to apply for Smart ID cards and passports at various bank branches within walking distance of where they live, and later digital banking apps. I thank them for their bold commitment to bring 100 bank branches online in the next 12 months. This takes us yet another step closer achieving our vision to deliver home affairs at home”.
The bank has committed to 5 branches immediately for this partnership, with more than 100 African Bank branches across the country over a period of 12 months.
As part of the secure application process, biometric fingerprint verification will be required, and applicants will initially collect their Smart ID card from the same branch where they applied. Looking ahead, customers will also have the flexibility to request collection at a preferred branch or even delivery to their chosen address. To ensure transparency and peace of mind, applicants will receive SMS confirmations and updates at every step, from application through to collection.
“This is about dignity and inclusion. Everyone deserves easy, safe access to the documents that unlock opportunity, whether that’s applying for a job, opening a bank account, or travelling abroad.”
Further details, including participating branches and rollout timelines, will be announced in the coming weeks on African Bank’s website and digital platforms.