Contactable Raises $13.5M to Scale Digital ID Platform Across Africa

Johannesburg-based digital identity (ID) and eKYC provider Contactable has raised $13.5 million (approx. R230 million) in a funding round to expand its digital ID platform access Africa. The round was led by  Venture Capitalworks, together with co-investors including Fireball Capital, Ke Nako Capital and Mavovo.

The funding will enable Contactable to scale its core digital ID offering, expand into other African markets, and advance innovation in areas such as Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO), artificial intelligence (AI), self-sovereign identity, and payment integrations.

“This investment is an exciting development for Contactable,” Shaun Strydom, CEO and founder of Contactable. “It allows us to strengthen our platform and expand with our customers, while continuing to build the digital identity infrastructure that supports Africa’s growing digital economy.”

He added, “This partnership with Venture Capitalworks will allow us to deepen our customer partnerships, extend our reach into underserved markets and enhance our ability to deliver secure, trusted digital identity solutions where they are needed most.”

What is Contactable’s Digital Identity Platform?

Founded in 2012, Contactable acts as a single integration point for businesses looking to secure digital identity solutions. The company provides a comprehensive platform that supports customer onboarding, identity verification, fraud reduction and regulatory compliance. 

Contactable leverages advanced technologies such as biometric authentication, data integration, and Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, to streamline the onboarding journey. This allows businesses to onboard clients faster, reduce fraud risks, and stay compliant with regulatory requirements. 

Key offerings include:

• Digital Identity

Contactable’s solutions eliminate reliance on paper-based identification processes. Users can establish secure digital identities, enabling faster, more reliable onboarding journeys. 

• Know Your Customer (KYC)

The platform helps businesses comply with regulatory requirements by verifying client identities and reducing fraud. It supports real-time authentication, allowing organisations to assess client legitimacy quickly.

• Biometric Verification

Through biometric technologies such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, Contactable allows for fast and accurate identity verification to better security and the user experience. 

• Data integration

Contactable easily integrates with existing systems, ensuring seamless data exchange and synochronisation. This unified data flow simplifies internal processes and offers a holistic view of each customer’s onboarding journey. 

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Digital IDs: South Africa’s Next Transformation Phase?

Contactable’s funding comes at a time when South Africa is actively building its own national digital identity infrastructure.

Earlier this year, the South African government introduced MyMzansi, a digital platform aimed at improving citizen access to government services. A central component of this platform is the The MyMzansi Digital Transformation Roadmap, which outlines the country’s digital public infrastructure (DPI) strategy. 

The first phase of the roadmap, running from March 2025 to February 2027, focuses on digital ID systems, data exchange mechanisms, and integrated payment solutions. These initiatives aim to bring government services closer to citizens through the enablement of remote access through a secure and unified platform.

During his State of the Nation Address on 6 February 2025, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the government's commitment to leveraging technology for service delivery.

“As we work to reform the public service and build the capability of the state, we will harness technology to transform the way the government works,” he said. “We will invest in digital public infrastructure to give South Africans access to government services, anytime, anywhere, through a relaunched gov.za platform. And at the heart of this transformation will be the implementation of a digital identity system.”

The Bigger Picture

As African economies continue their digital transformation journeys, secure and scalable identity solutions are becoming increasingly popular solutions. From onboarding customers in financial services to providing access to healthcare, education, and government services, digital ID is becoming a cornerstone of inclusive digital growth.

With its fresh injection of capital and an expanding footprint, Contactable is well-positioned to play a leading role in shaping the continent’s digital identity infrastructure, bridging the gap between private sector innovation and public sector transformation.