MTN South Africa has introduced a new digital identity system that leverages fingerprint and facial recognition technology to authenticate customers in all of its stores. This move is aimed at simplifying the sign-up process and reducing fraud.

The telecommunications company states that this initiative is a critical measure in combating identity theft and SIM swap fraud, which resulted in R5.3 billion ($300 million) worth of telecom-related fraud in 2024, according to a July 2025 report from the Communication Risk Information Centre (Comric).

The system rollout follows a successful six-month pilot conducted across 20% of MTN’s stores, where the technology enabled quicker customer sign-ups and effectively prevented identity fraud. With this implementation, MTN becomes the first mobile operator in South Africa to deploy this digital identity solution on a large scale. The system was developed in collaboration with Vigilate AI, a global leader in biometric technology.

Cornelia van Heerden, Executive: Customer Operations at MTN South Africa, explained, “The introduction of this biometric system is part of our ongoing investment in innovation, aiming to make our customers’ experiences safer, more convenient, and more connected. We’ve reimagined the customer journey to be faster, more secure, and more intuitive, without compromising on convenience.”

Daniel Hartwright, CEO of Vigilate AI, expressed that the partnership with MTN represents a major advancement in secure customer verification in South Africa. “By combining MTN’s deep customer insights and reach with our cutting-edge biometric technology, we are redefining the landscape of secure, customer-centric onboarding,” he said. “This collaboration sets a new standard for the telecom industry.”

Van Heerden further noted, “The feedback from the pilot stores has been overwhelmingly positive. Customers appreciated the significantly faster sign-up process, the error-free verification, and the overall convenience of the new system. It’s a perfect example of how technology can deliver real, tangible value.”

This digital identity system rollout is part of MTN’s “Ambition 2025 strategy,” aimed at leading digital innovation in Africa and providing secure, future-ready services.

For more information or to apply, visit the website. 

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