Smile ID and Mastercard Extends Partnership to Double Down on Digital Trust Across Africa
Smile ID provides real-time digital identity verification enabling businesses to securely confirm user identities across South Africa.
Smile ID is taking a major leap forward in its mission to bring secure identity verification to the continent—this time with an even stronger partner at its side. Mastercard has announced an extended commercial partnership and minority investment in the African identity tech company, signaling a shared commitment to expanding financial access and fighting fraud at scale.
The deal combines Smile ID’s advanced verification and fraud detection tools with Mastercard’s global identity tech and insights, enabling faster, more secure customer onboarding across banks, fintechs, mobile money operators, and telecom providers.
Unlocking Access for 300 Million More Users
Smile ID’s CEO, Mark Straub, highlighted the growing urgency: “The surge in synthetic identity fraud in Africa is costing banks and lenders hundreds of millions of dollars a year. By joining forces with Mastercard, we can help turn the tide.”
Together, the companies aim to help onboard the next 300 million African users—securely and in seconds. This is especially important as smartphone penetration rises and Africa’s digital economy is expected to hit $1.5 trillion by 2030.
Their partnership addresses long-standing issues around fragmented ID systems, KYC compliance, and lack of trust in digital onboarding. Smile ID’s integrations with trusted government databases and its pan-African reach make it a strong complement to Mastercard’s existing infrastructure.
A Bet on Digital Inclusion
This isn’t Mastercard’s first play in the African identity space, but the minority investment in Smile ID shows long-term conviction in both the company and the ecosystem it serves.
“This partnership with Smile ID is a pivotal step in advancing digital trust and inclusion across Africa,” said Selin Bahadirli, Executive Vice President at Mastercard EEMEA. “Smile ID’s innovative identity platform complements Mastercard’s commitment to fostering secure and inclusive digital ecosystems.”
For fintechs and financial institutions working to scale responsibly, this partnership unlocks real-time identity checks, AML compliance, and reduced onboarding friction—all crucial for tapping into new markets and bringing underserved users into the fold.
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