At the heart of the offering is a secure, biometric-enabled smart card platform designed for the unbanked and underbanked
SmartSwitch Botswana is redefining financial inclusion with a biometric-enabled smart card platform tailored to serve the unbanked and underbanked across the country. As a subsidiary of Lesaka Technologies, SmartSwitch has connected over 75,000 vulnerable citizens—many in underserved communities—to a secure, dignified financial system.
Launched in 2006 with exclusive rights to deploy Botswana’s Universal Electronic Payment System (UEPS), SmartSwitch has grown into a lifeline for food grant beneficiaries. The UEPS platform is also accredited in countries like South Africa, Namibia, and Ghana, reinforcing its role in Africa’s growing fintech infrastructure.
At the core of SmartSwitch’s innovation is a smart card that functions much like a bank debit card—only smarter. Linked to biometric authentication and capable of offline transactions, the system allows recipients to receive monthly food allowances, earn interest on unused funds, and shop at over 1,200 local stores. This includes everything from general dealers to small corner shops.
More than just a tech solution, the system was built around restoring dignity and choice. Previously, food beneficiaries had to queue under harsh conditions for limited, pre-selected goods—a process riddled with inefficiencies and stigma. Today, users can shop when and where they want, with privacy and agency.
“For us, it wasn’t just about technology,” says France Mabiletsa, Managing Director of SmartSwitch Botswana. “It was about providing a human-centered system that delivers dignity and flexibility.”
The ripple effects have been far-reaching. In the first three years alone, over 50,000 people—many with no prior ties to formal banking—were integrated into Botswana’s financial ecosystem. Merchants also benefit: the system guarantees payment within 48 hours, improves liquidity, and boosts customer traffic.
As Botswana prepares a new phase of food voucher digitization, SmartSwitch is already investing in upgraded devices and expanded services to meet growing demand.
This is more than a payment system—it’s a step toward financial empowerment for thousands across Botswana, and a powerful model for inclusive fintech across Africa.