A new digital ID is coming to South Africa — here’s how it works
South Africans are set for a major shift in how they prove their identity as Home Affairs rolls out a smartphone-based digital ID aimed at closing the door on identity theft, document fraud and manipulation of government systems.
South Africa has rolled out its first operational digital ID as part of a nationwide effort to combat identity theft and document fraud. The biometric verification-based system, unveiled by Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber, aims to provide South Africans with a secure way to prove their identity without relying on physical documents.
The digital ID will be directly linked to the population register, with users having the ability to control what personal information they share and can view when their data has been accessed. The prototype demonstrated by Schreiber showcased how an immigration official could access information from the digital ID using a QR code, with the user being able to approve or deny the request.
The green ID book, which has been widely defrauded, will be phased out by March 2028, and holders will have a year to switch to smart ID cards before it becomes invalid. The digital ID system is intended to complement the smart ID card, with the rollout open for public submissions on draft regulations that would limit how personal information can be used.
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