SA Rolls Out Digital ID, AI & Data Analytics To Combat Organised Crime

In a decisive State of the Nation Address on Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa laid out an ambitious plan to digitise the South African state while simultaneously unleashing artificial intelligence and data analytics on criminal syndicates flooding the country with counterfeit goods.

“We will harness digital transformation as a driver of growth, inclusion and effective service delivery,” Ramaphosa declared.

“This year, Home Affairs will launch the Digital ID to enable safe and secure use of digital services for all South Africans.”

The sweeping reforms will digitise driver’s licenses, matric certificates and Master’s Office services.

Citizens will soon file police statements online and check SASSA grant eligibility remotely, all through a single platform: MyMzansi.

“Soon, every South African will be able to access many of the services they need without visiting a government office or filling out manual forms,” Ramaphosa said.

Hundreds more bank branches will roll out Smart ID and passport services this year, dramatically cutting queues.

Ramaphosa stressed that civil society would help safeguard citizens’ rights throughout the digital transition.

AI Turns the Screw on Crime Syndicates

Simultaneously, government is launching a national illicit economy disruption programme — a multi-agency taskforce armed with data analytics and artificial intelligence to dismantle networks flooding South Africa with illegal and counterfeit goods.

“Through effective use of data analytics and AI, we will be targeting high-risk sectors like tobacco, fuel, alcohol and other counterfeit products,” Ramaphosa said.

The move protects jobs and legitimate industry while bolstering South Africa’s standing as a continental financial powerhouse.

“Our financial institutions are some of the best in the world,” he added.

Africa’s Gateway, Digitised

South Africa is also streamlining tourism with an Electronic Travel Authorisation system extended to all visa-required countries – with applications processed digitally within 24 hours.

“For South Africa to be strong, our continent, Africa, must be at peace and it must prosper,” Ramaphosa said.

Green Economy: The Next Frontier

The President pivoted hard to green industrialisation, framing it as South Africa’s “biggest opportunity.”

From March, a 150% tax deduction kicks in for investments in new energy vehicles, alongside local battery production support. International pledges to the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan now stand at R250 billion, financing manufacturing, infrastructure and skills.

R1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

To underpin it all, government has committed over R1 trillion in public investment over three years — the largest allocation in South African history.

“Infrastructure is much more than an investment in brick, mortar, concrete and steel,” Ramaphosa said. “It is an investment in jobs, productivity and growth.”

The Medium Term Development Plan implementation framework, approved by Cabinet, targets digital and green sectors where young people will find employment.