Mastercard has expanded its partnership with Africa-focused identity verification provider Smile ID, aiming to accelerate the rollout of secure digital identity solutions across the continent.
Why it matters
Africa’s digital economy is projected to hit $1.5 trillion by 2030, but fragmented identity systems and rising fraud remain barriers to inclusion.
The Mastercard–Smile ID tie-up targets these gaps by combining Mastercard’s global network and identity tech with Smile ID’s local integrations and fraud detection tools.
Driving the news
- The partnership allows banks, fintechs, telcos, and mobile money operators to onboard customers faster while reducing identity fraud.
- Mastercard has also made a minority investment in Smile ID, signaling long-term commitment to digital inclusion in Africa.
- The deal integrates Smile ID’s verification tools into Mastercard’s platforms, enabling:
- Instant, secure onboarding across African markets.
- Stronger fraud prevention, including synthetic identity fraud.
- Compliance with KYC and AML requirements.
- Support for cross-border commerce.
Zoom in
Smile ID works with governments and trusted data sources across Africa, offering pan-African reach, near real-time onboarding, and scalable solutions for digital platforms.
What they’re saying
- “This partnership with Smile ID is a pivotal step in advancing digital trust and inclusion across Africa,” said Selin Bahadirli, EVP of Services, Mastercard EEMEA.
- “By joining forces with Mastercard, we can expand opportunities for consumers … giving banks and mobile wallets the confidence to onboard the next 300 million African users securely, in seconds,” added Mark Straub, CEO of Smile ID.
The bottom line
As smartphone adoption rises and fraud surges, Mastercard and Smile ID are betting that trusted digital identity will be the key to unlocking financial inclusion for millions across Africa.
Learn more about other African tech startups on Labari Insights, our data repository for tech in Africa: insights.techlabari.com
