South Africa Prepares to Retire Green ID Book with Nationwide Smart ID Rollout

Major banks join digital initiative to make identity services more secure and accessible

South Africa is on the verge of a historic change in how citizens prove who they are. The Green ID book, once a staple of South African life, is now slated for retirement as the Department of Home Affairs accelerates a nationwide rollout of Smart ID cards through major banks.

Banks bring Home Affairs to the people

Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber announced that Discovery Bank will join an ambitious partnership aimed at offering Smart ID and passport services at hundreds more branches across the country. This follows earlier commitments from Capitec, FNB, Standard Bank, and Absa, which collectively will bring services to at least 840 new branches over the next 12 months.

“This digital-first approach means South Africans will no longer need to stand in long lines at Home Affairs offices,” Schreiber said, highlighting the convenience and security benefits of the program.

Until now, only a handful of banks offered these services in pilot projects across 30 branches. The old system was costly and cumbersome, often duplicating staff and technology. But upgrades to the Online Verification Service (OVS) and direct integration with banking apps now promise a smoother, more reliable process.

Why the Green ID book is being phased out

The minister has repeatedly warned that the Green ID book is the most defrauded identity document in Africa. Its outdated security features, coupled with incidents of corruption and fraud, have made it a major target for identity theft and criminal syndicates.

Currently, about 18 million South Africans still carry the green booklet. The department aims to replace all these with Smart IDs by the end of 2029. Schreiber has laid out a step-by-step plan:

• 2025: Roll out live capture systems to remaining Home Affairs offices

• March 2026: Onboard 100 additional bank branches

• End of 2026: Stop issuing new Green ID books

• March 2028: Onboard 1,000 more bank branches

• End of 2029: Fully discontinue Green ID books

Public reaction and digital adoption

Social media has been buzzing with support for the initiative, with many citizens praising the convenience of accessing Home Affairs services at local bank branches. Some users, however, voiced concerns about digital literacy and whether older citizens will be able to adapt to the new system.

Capitec plans to launch services at 10 branches in October 2025, scaling to 100 branches by early 2026. Other banks, including African Bank and Investec, could still join the program, potentially accelerating the Green ID book’s retirement.

A new era for South African identity

For decades, the Green ID book has been a symbol of personal identity in South Africa. Its replacement with the Smart ID represents more than a technological upgrade; it signals a move toward safer, more accessible, and fraud-resistant identification. For millions of South Africans, the coming years will mark the end of an era and the beginning of a more secure digital future.

{Source: BusinessTech}

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