It’s odd to see Capitec in the headlines for something other than its Smart ID infrastructure rollout. This time, the news involves the bank’s MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) bringing eSIM support to users later this year. Capitec Connect CEO, Dalene Steyn, confirmed as much while speaking to MyBroadband.
Capitec reckons that its MVNO is flying high at the moment. As of February 2026, the bank noted that it had 1.5 million active Connect clients under its wing. And when it introduces eSIM support — only arriving in the second half of the year, unfortunately — that number could grow further.
Another win for Capitec
The launch will also offer a fully remote onboarding service, per the report. “This forms part of our ongoing focus on making connectivity simpler and more accessible for our clients,” Steyn said. The MVNO recently introduced free voice calls between any two customers on the network. That should keep ’em busy a little while longer.
Also in the works is eSIM support for wearables, Steyn said. She stopped there, noting that the bank would have more to share on that front “closer to the time”. This would enable users to load up data onto their smartwatches or other wearable tech — allowing them to still receive messages without an active Bluetooth connection nearby.
Read More: Capitec, Standard Bank roll out Smart ID services to 13 more branches
It’s been nearly four years since Capitec Connect launched, leading many to wonder why there was such a delay in bringing eSIM support to the masses. According to Steyn, it’s all about timing — and the devices themselves. While flagships have offered eSIMs for many years, the more budget phones floating around at the time… didn’t. Things have changed in the nearly four years since Capitec Connect was launched.
“We can see exactly which phones our clients use on our network and on the Capitec app,” Steyn explained. As the adoption of eSIM is increasing in South Africa, we feel that the time is right now to also offer this to our clients.”
