Partnership between «Mastercard» and «Smile ID» to Scale Digital Identity Across Africa

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Mustafa Eid, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 | JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA:

«Mastercard» has extended its strategic commercial partnership with «Smile ID», the leading African identity verification provider. This collaboration aims to accelerate the rollout of secure digital identity solutions across the continent. Moreover, it will empower banks, fintechs, telecoms, and mobile money operators to onboard customers faster while reducing fraud.

Bridging the Fraud and Inclusion Gap

Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030. Therefore, trusted identity solutions have become critical for enabling inclusion, preventing fraud, and supporting cross-border commerce. Additionally, with smartphone penetration on the rise, millions of people require secure verification services that operate seamlessly across digital platforms.

A Long-Term Commitment to Innovation

For over 50 years, «Mastercard» has worked with African governments and businesses to promote financial inclusion. As part of this partnership, «Mastercard» has also made a minority investment in «Smile ID». Furthermore, this move reinforces its long-term commitment to innovation, digital inclusion, and sustainable growth across Africa.

Driving Compliance and Secure Ecosystems

According to Selin Bahadirli, Executive Vice President of Services at «Mastercard» EEMEA:
“This partnership with Smile ID is a pivotal step in advancing digital trust and inclusion. As fragmented systems slow down businesses, Smile ID’s platform complements Mastercard’s vision to build secure and inclusive digital ecosystems.”

Consequently, this partnership will help banks, fintechs, and telecom operators comply with both KYC and AML regulations. Moreover, it provides scalable solutions that support regional trade and digital expansion.

Advanced Verification and Fraud Prevention

Through this collaboration, «Mastercard» customers gain access to «Smile ID’s» advanced tools. These will be integrated into Mastercard’s platforms, enabling:

• Instant and secure user onboarding.

• Enhanced fraud detection, including synthetic identity fraud.

• Compliance with international standards such as KYC and AML.

• Scalable digital identity solutions for cross-border commerce.

Furthermore, Smile ID’s integrations with local governments and data sources give this partnership unique capabilities, including real-time onboarding and pan-African coverage.

Combating Synthetic Identity Fraud

Mark Straub, CEO of «Smile ID», emphasized:
“Synthetic identity fraud is costing African banks and lenders hundreds of millions annually. By joining forces with Mastercard, we can shift the tide. Moreover, this collaboration allows financial institutions to securely onboard the next 300 million African users within seconds.”

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