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MTN South Africa Rolls Out Cutting-Edge Biometric ID System
MTN South Africa has fully deployed its digital identity system with real-time biometrics across all MTN stores nationwide. A major milestone in telecom innovation, MTN becomes first mobile operator in South Africa to implement biometric verification at scale. The telco is aiming to transform the customer experience while significantly enhancing identity security.
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The launch follows a six-month pilot covering 20% of MTN’s retail network. During the pilot stage, the biometric solution improved onboarding speed and reduced fraud incidents. Notably, it also streamlined customer verification.
Enhancing Security and Efficiency
Cornelia van Heerden, Executive: Customer Operations at MTN South Africa, said:
“At MTN, our customers are at the heart of everything we do. The deployment of this biometric system is part of our ongoing investment in innovation that makes our customers’ lives easier, safer, and more connected.”
The real-time fingerprint and facial recognition system enables faster processing of new contracts and SIM activations, drastically reducing the risk of identity theft and SIM swap fraud — two persistent challenges in South Africa’s telecom sector.
Partnering with Global Leaders in Biometric Technology
The technology is powered by Vigilate AI, a global leader in biometric identity solutions ranked among the world’s top providers for fingerprint, facial, and iris recognition. The system is designed for accuracy, scalability, and data security, ensuring a smooth experience for customers and robust protection against fraud.
Customer-First Digital Transformation
“Our objective was simple,” added Van Heerden. “We wanted a customer-first solution that streamlines processes while preventing telecom fraud. This biometric system not only simplifies onboarding but also safeguards customer identities in an increasingly digital world.”
By integrating biometric authentication into its core customer service operations, MTN is reinforcing its position as a leader in telecom security innovation and digital transformation in Africa.
