South Africa's department of home affairs will partner with some of the country's banks to roll-out the national smart identity (ID) card, the president announced on Thursday.

During his state of the nation address (Sona) President Jacob Zuma said South Africans would be able to apply for their smart ID cards at local banks.

However, Zuma did not mention which banks South Africans would be able to apply for the smart ID cards.

The department of home affairs has embarked on a national roll-out of the smart ID card in the southern African country to replace the country's old green bar-coded ID book.

South Africa has joined African countries such as Nigeria in starting to roll-out smart ID cards to citizens.

The roll-out of the new smart ID cards is expected to be a seven-year process, according to reports.

The department of home affairs has said the smart ID cards aim to eliminate paperwork involved in the current ID system that makes it easier for criminals to clone ID books.

So far more than one million smart ID cards have already been issued, the department announced earlier this year.

Minister of home affairs Malusi Gigaba took to social network Twitter on Thursday night to confirm the news of the partnership.

"Well, the cat is out the bag. You will be able to apply at banks. #HomeAffairs," @mgigaba tweeted.

South Africa has one of the highest levels of a banked population in Africa.

According to the annual FinScope survey 75% of South Africa's population was banked in 2013.