MTN South Africa Launches Biometric Digital ID System to Curb SIM Swap Fraud

MTN South Africa has introduced a cutting-edge digital identity system that uses fingerprint and facial recognition to verify customers across all its stores. This move marks a major step in the fight against identity theft and SIM swap scams, issues that cost the telecom sector a staggering R5.3 billion ($300 million) in 2024, according to a July 2025 report from the Communication Risk Information Centre (Comric).

Following a successful six-month pilot across 20% of its retail outlets, MTN is now the first mobile operator in South Africa to roll out biometric identity verification at scale. The pilot phase reportedly sped up customer sign-ups and significantly reduced cases of identity fraud.

The new system was developed in partnership with Vigilate AI, a global leader in biometric technology. Together, the companies aim to reshape customer verification in the digital age.

“The deployment of this biometric system is part of our ongoing investment in innovation that makes our customers’ lives easier, safer, and more connected,” said Cornelia van Heerden, Executive: Customer Operations at MTN South Africa. “We have reimagined the customer journey to be faster, more secure, and more intuitive, without compromising convenience.”

Daniel Hartwright, CEO of Vigilate AI, echoed the significance of the collaboration:

“By combining MTN’s deep customer insight and reach with our cutting-edge biometric technology, we are redefining what secure, customer-centric onboarding can look like. This partnership sets a new benchmark for the telecoms industry.”

According to van Heerden, customer feedback from the pilot was overwhelmingly positive, with users appreciating the streamlined onboarding, reduced errors, and enhanced convenience.

This digital identity rollout is a key part of MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy, aimed at cementing the company’s position as a leader in digital innovation and delivering future-ready, secure services across Africa.