Mastercard has deepened its partnership with Smile ID, Africa’s leading identity verification provider, to accelerate the rollout of secure digital identity solutions across the continent. The move aims to combat rising fraud, streamline customer onboarding, and widen access to financial services for millions of people.
The agreement combines Mastercard’s global payments expertise and identity technology with Smile ID’s data verification and fraud detection capabilities. Together, they will help banks, fintechs, mobile money operators, and enterprises onboard new users quickly and securely, while addressing compliance requirements such as Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations.
Africa’s digital economy is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2030, making trusted identity solutions a key driver of inclusion, fraud prevention, and cross-border commerce. With smartphone penetration rising rapidly, secure digital ID services are seen as critical to unlocking opportunities for millions who remain excluded from the financial system.
“For more than five decades, Mastercard has worked with African governments, businesses, and communities to expand financial inclusion,” the company said in a statement. “Together with Smile ID, Mastercard is positioned to build a more secure, inclusive digital ecosystem that supports innovation and growth across the continent.”
As part of the expanded partnership, Mastercard has also taken a minority stake in Smile ID, underlining its long-term commitment to digital trust and innovation in Africa.
“This partnership with Smile ID is a pivotal step in advancing digital trust and inclusion across Africa. As fragmented identity systems slow down businesses and lock millions out of the digital economy, Smile ID’s innovative identity platform complements Mastercard’s commitment to fostering secure and inclusive digital ecosystems,” said Selin Bahadirli, Executive Vice President, Services, Mastercard EEMEA.
Through the collaboration, Mastercard’s partners—including banks, telecom operators, fintechs, and mobile money providers—will gain access to Smile ID’s advanced verification tools. These will be integrated into Mastercard’s digital platforms to enable instant onboarding, enhanced fraud detection (including synthetic identity fraud), and scalable solutions for cross-border commerce.
Smile ID’s integrations with government databases and trusted local sources further strengthen the offering, allowing for pan-African reach, near real-time verification, and robust fraud prevention.
“The surge in synthetic identity fraud in Africa is costing banks and lenders hundreds of millions of dollars a year,” said Mark Straub, CEO of Smile ID. “By joining forces with Mastercard, we can help turn the tide. As we combine insights and technologies, we can expand opportunities for consumers by giving banks and mobile wallets the confidence to onboard the next 300 million African users securely, in seconds.”
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