By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: FNB
Seen Here: FNB CEO, Lytania Johnson Photo Credit: FNB
Johannesburg, South Africa — In a move set to redefine access to essential government services, FNB has announced the rollout of Smart ID Card application services at selected branches across the country, marking a significant step forward in public-private collaboration.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA), forms part of a phased expansion that will see Smart ID-enabled services available at 16 FNB branches by the end of April 2026 — up from the current seven.
Bringing Government Services Closer to the People
The latest rollout introduces Smart ID re-issuance services at four additional Gauteng branches:
- Woodmead
- Lakeside Mall
- Krugersdorp
- Pretoria CBD
Notably, these locations allow walk-ins, eliminating the need for prior appointments — a shift aimed at reducing barriers to access and improving turnaround times for everyday administrative needs.
“This expansion means more people can access Home Affairs services closer to home,” said FNB CEO Lytania Johnson. “It demonstrates what is possible when the public and private sectors work together to simplify essential services.”
Seen Here: Zibu Nqala, CEO of FNB Points of Presence Photo Credit: FNB
A New Model for Digital Service Delivery
The initiative aligns with the DHA’s evolving digital partnership framework, which integrates banking infrastructure with government systems. This model enables citizens to apply for Smart ID re-issues within familiar, accessible banking environments, with further digital channel integration expected in the near future.
Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber described the rollout as a key milestone in the department’s modernisation agenda.
“By connecting banks directly to our digital systems, the Home Affairs @ Home reform programme is transforming how South Africans access identity services — making them more convenient, secure, and efficient,” he said.
Scaling Access Nationwide
FNB’s ambitions extend well beyond the initial rollout. The bank plans to scale Smart ID-enabled services to more than 240 branches over the next year, significantly expanding national coverage.
According to Zibu Nqala, the bank’s physical branch network plays a critical role in reaching underserved communities.
“Our goal is to ensure inclusive access to identity services, regardless of location,” Nqala said. “By steadily expanding from four to 16 branches, we are bringing essential solutions closer to where people live and work.”
Proven Demand and Track Record
FNB’s collaboration with Home Affairs is not new. Since 2015, the bank has issued over 570,000 Smart IDs and passports through its existing DHA-enabled branches — including more than 258,000 Smart IDs and 312,000 passports.
This track record underscores both the demand for integrated services and the bank’s operational capacity to deliver them at scale.
For now, passport applications and first-time Smart ID issuances will continue to require appointments via the DHA’s official platform, while re-issuance services at selected branches remain available for walk-in customers.
Affordable and Accessible
In a notable consumer-friendly move, customers accessing Smart ID services at FNB branches will only pay the standard DHA application fee of R140, with no additional charges.
This pricing structure reinforces the initiative’s focus on accessibility, ensuring that convenience does not come at a premium.
A Step Toward Inclusive Digital Transformation
As South Africa continues its broader digital transformation journey, initiatives like this highlight the growing role of collaboration between government and the private sector in improving service delivery.
By embedding Home Affairs services within everyday banking environments, FNB is not only enhancing customer experience — it is helping reshape how citizens interact with the state.
For millions of South Africans, the process of securing a Smart ID may soon be as simple as visiting their nearest bank branch — a small but meaningful shift in the country’s administrative landscape.
