9 Best APIs for Liveness Detection in Nigeria

Veriff is an AI-powered identity verification platform that analyzes over 1,000 signals per verification session to deliver 99.6% automated decision accuracy. Founded in 2015 in Tallinn, Estonia, Veriff serves clients in over 230 countries and territories, including financial institutions, fintech companies, crypto exchanges, insurance providers, and digital marketplaces. The company processes hundreds of millions of verifications annually and is trusted by organizations including Bolt, Monzo, Skyscanner, and Gett. ## What the API Does Veriff's platform combines document verification, biometric face matching, liveness detection, and AML screening in a single developer-friendly API. The verification engine analyzes the submitted ID document (passport, national ID, driver's license) across authenticity signals including security feature checks, MRZ data validation, NFC chip reading, font consistency, microprint analysis, and document template cross-referencing. Simultaneously, a biometric face match compares the selfie captured during the session against the document photo, and liveness detection confirms the person is physically present rather than presenting a static photo or video replay. For Nigerian users, Veriff supports the full range of commonly accepted government IDs: international passports (Nigerian e-passports with NFC), National Identity Management Commission NIN slips, Independent National Electoral Commission voter cards, and Federal Road Safety Corps driver's licenses. ## How Developers Use It Developers integrate Veriff via REST API and pre-built SDKs (Web, iOS, Android, and React Native). The standard flow is: 1. Create a verification session on your backend using `POST /v1/sessions` — this returns a session URL and token. 2. Redirect or embed the Veriff session flow using the Veriff Web SDK or deep-link on mobile. 3. The end user is guided through document capture and selfie/liveness steps within the Veriff-hosted UI. 4. Veriff processes the session and delivers results via webhook to your configured endpoint. Results include an overall decision (approved/declined/resubmission_requested), individual check results (document authenticity, face match score, liveness pass/fail), and extracted data fields (full name, date of birth, document number, expiry date, address if present). Veriff also provides a verification URL-only integration for even simpler embedding — generate a session URL and open it in a browser window; no SDK required. ## Pricing & Fees Veriff offers transparent self-serve pricing, which sets it apart from many enterprise-only KYC vendors. Plans include: - **Essential**: $49/month — basic document + face verification - **Plus**: $99/month — adds database checks and enhanced fraud signals - **Premium**: $209/month — full feature access including AML screening add-on Per-verification costs apply above plan-included volumes, with exact per-check rates determined at signup. Enterprise plans with custom pricing and volume discounts are available for high-volume clients. A sandbox environment is available immediately upon signup for integration development. ## Authentication Veriff uses an API key + shared secret authentication model. Your API public key is included in request headers (`X-AUTH-CLIENT: your_api_key`), and a session-specific signature is generated using HMAC-SHA256 with your shared secret. For incoming webhooks, Veriff signs the payload using HMAC-SHA256, and the signature is passed in the `X-HMAC-SIGNATURE` header. Developers must verify this signature on every received webhook before processing the decision — accepting unverified webhook payloads in production is a critical security vulnerability. ## Rate Limits Rate limits vary by plan. Self-serve plans have monthly verification caps; exceeding these triggers overage billing rather than hard blocks. Enterprise plans have customized throughput limits based on expected session volume. Contact Veriff support for specific rate limit details on your plan. ## Compliance & Regulations Veriff holds ISO 27001 (information security management), SOC 2 Type II, and GDPR certifications. The platform is designed to support compliance with FATF recommendations, AMLD5/6 in Europe, and FinCEN guidelines in the US. For Nigerian deployments, Veriff's checks align with CBN KYC Tier 2/3 requirements (document + biometric verification), EFCC AML obligations, and NDPR data protection requirements. The AML screening add-on covers OFAC, UN, EU, and UK Treasury watchlists for PEP and sanctions screening. ## Challenges & Gotchas for Nigerian Developers 1. **Webhook signature verification is mandatory**: Skipping the X-HMAC-SIGNATURE check means your system could be manipulated by forged webhook payloads. Always implement this check before going live. 2. **HTTPS required**: The Veriff SDK will not load over HTTP. Your integration environment must be HTTPS-enabled. 3. **Session expiry**: Verification sessions expire after a configurable period (default 7 days). Build retry/re-invite flows for users who don't complete their verification promptly. 4. **Camera permission handling**: On Nigerian mobile devices running older Android versions, camera permission UX can vary. Test on low-end devices (Tecno, Itel, Infinix) which are common in Nigeria. 5. **No native BVN integration**: Veriff does not connect to the NIBSS BVN database. Pair with a Nigerian BVN API (Mono, Okra, Lendsqr) for BVN-based verification. 6. **NGN billing not supported**: Veriff charges in USD. Nigerian developers will need a USD-capable card or wire transfer. ## Company Background Veriff was founded in 2015 by Kaarel Kotkas in Tallinn, Estonia. The company has raised over $200 million in funding from investors including Tiger Global, IVP, and Alkeon Capital. Veriff employs over 1,000 people across Europe and the Americas and has won multiple awards for identity verification technology. In 2023–2024, the company invested heavily in AI-powered deepfake and document fraud detection, adding capabilities to counter sophisticated synthetic identity attacks. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Can Nigerian developers sign up without contacting sales?** A: Yes. Veriff offers self-serve plans starting at $49/month with instant activation after signup. No sales call required for standard tiers. **Q: Does Veriff support NGN billing?** A: No. Veriff bills in USD only. Use a USD virtual card (e.g., from Flutterwave, Barter by Flutterwave, or Chipper Cash) for payment. **Q: How accurate is the verification?** A: Veriff reports 99.6% automated decision accuracy across its global verification volume. Flagged edge cases are escalated to human review. **Q: Can I test without paying?** A: Yes. A sandbox environment is available immediately upon registration, allowing full integration testing without live verification costs.

Onfido is an enterprise identity verification platform that combines AI-powered document verification, biometric face authentication, and AML watchlist screening into a single developer API. Founded in 2012 in London and acquired by Entrust in April 2024, Onfido continues to operate under its own brand within the Entrust portfolio. The platform serves thousands of businesses globally including Revolut, Zipcar, Bitstamp, and numerous regulated financial institutions. Onfido processes hundreds of millions of identity checks annually across 195+ countries. ## What the API Does Onfido's verification stack has three primary layers. The first is document verification — automated analysis of government-issued ID documents including passports, national ID cards, driver's licenses, and residence permits. Onfido's AI engine validates document authenticity by checking security features, analyzing MRZ (Machine Readable Zone) data, detecting tampering or manipulation, and comparing document templates against its global library. The second layer is biometric verification — a selfie-based face match comparing the live user's face against the document photo. Onfido supports both passive liveness (background analysis without user prompts) and active liveness (guided motion challenges to confirm presence). The liveness engine is designed to prevent spoofing via printed photos, replay videos, 3D masks, and increasingly, AI-generated deepfake imagery. The third layer is watchlist screening — automatic checks against global AML (Anti-Money Laundering) databases, PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) lists, and sanctions registries including OFAC, EU, UN, and UK Treasury. For Nigerian users, the platform supports NIN slips, voter cards, international passports (e-passport with NFC), and Federal Road Safety Corps driver's licenses. Onfido Studio ties these together as a no-code workflow builder — compliance and product teams can drag and drop verification steps, configure conditional logic (e.g., run database check if document is expired), set retry limits, and deploy new verification flows without engineering involvement. ## How Developers Use It Developers integrate Onfido via REST API and SDKs for Web, iOS, Android, and React Native. The standard integration pattern: 1. Create an applicant server-side using `POST /v3.6/applicants` — this creates a user object in Onfido with name and email. 2. Generate an SDK token using `POST /v3.6/sdk_token` — this short-lived token authorizes the client-side SDK session. 3. Initialize the Onfido Web SDK or Mobile SDK on the client, passing the SDK token. 4. The user is guided through document capture and selfie/liveness steps in the Onfido-hosted UI. 5. Create a check on your server using `POST /v3.6/checks` specifying which reports to run (document, facial_similarity, watchlist, etc.). 6. Receive results via webhook when the check completes, or poll `GET /v3.6/checks/{check_id}`. ## Pricing & Fees Onfido operates on custom enterprise pricing. Industry data suggests median annual spend of approximately $60,475, with a wide range from $6,156 for smaller integrations to over $945,000 for high-volume enterprise deployments. Charges are per verification check — document verification, biometric checks, and add-ons like AML screening are priced separately. There is no public per-check rate card; pricing is negotiated based on volume and use case. A sandbox environment is provided to all registered developers during the sales process for full integration testing. ## Authentication Onfido uses JWT (JSON Web Token) authentication. Backend API calls use a long-lived API token stored as a Bearer token in the Authorization header. Client-side SDK sessions use short-lived SDK tokens generated server-side via the `/sdk_token` endpoint — these expire after a configurable period to prevent session hijacking. Webhook payloads include an `X-SHA2-Signature` header for payload verification. ## Rate Limits Onfido does not publish public rate limits. Enterprise contracts specify throughput limits based on expected volume. The API is designed to handle burst verification loads. Contact Onfido/Entrust sales for specific rate limit commitments in your contract. ## Compliance & Regulations Onfido holds ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 Type II attestation, PCI DSS compliance, and full GDPR compliance. The platform supports compliance with FATF anti-money laundering recommendations, UK FCA guidelines, EU AMLD5/6, FinCEN in the US, and CBN KYC requirements in Nigeria. For Nigerian financial institutions, Onfido's document + biometric verification stack satisfies CBN Tier 2 and Tier 3 KYC requirements as outlined in the CBN Customer Due Diligence Regulation 2023. ## Challenges & Gotchas for Nigerian Developers 1. **No self-serve signup**: Onfido requires enterprise onboarding through their sales team. There is no instant-activation self-serve plan — budget 2–4 weeks for contract and credential setup. 2. **USD-only billing**: All pricing is in USD. Nigerian developers need a USD-capable payment method for invoicing. 3. **No native BVN integration**: Onfido does not query the NIBSS BVN database directly. Pair with a Nigerian BVN API for BVN-based verification. 4. **SDK version management**: Onfido releases frequent SDK updates, especially for mobile. Lock your SDK version and test upgrades before deploying to production. 5. **NDPR considerations**: Biometric data processed by Onfido falls under NDPR as sensitive personal data. Ensure your data processing agreement with Onfido covers Nigerian user data handling and retention policies. 6. **Post-Entrust acquisition uncertainty**: Some developers have noted pricing changes following the Entrust acquisition. Negotiate carefully and review renewal terms. ## Company Background Onfido was founded in 2012 by Husayn Kassai, Eamon Jubbawy, and Ruhul Amin — three Oxford University graduates. The company raised over $200 million in VC funding before being acquired by Entrust, a digital security company, in April 2024 for a reported $400 million. Onfido's technology is now part of Entrust's broader digital identity portfolio, which includes certificates, credentialing, and authentication products. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Is Onfido available in Nigeria?** A: Yes. Onfido supports Nigerian government IDs including international passports, NIN slips, voter cards, and driver's licenses as part of their global document library covering 195+ countries. **Q: Has anything changed since the Entrust acquisition?** A: The Onfido API, documentation, and brand continue to operate independently. The main changes are in sales and enterprise support structure, which is now routed through Entrust channels. **Q: Can I use Onfido for KYB (business verification)?** A: Onfido focuses on individual KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. KYB (Know Your Business / corporate verification) is not a core Onfido product — consider Sumsub or Jumio for KYB requirements. **Q: How do I get started without a sales call?** A: Contact Onfido through onfido.com to initiate enterprise onboarding. There is no self-serve option.

Sumsub (Summary Verification) is a comprehensive identity verification and compliance platform used by over 2,000 businesses globally to verify users, screen for AML risks, monitor transactions, and onboard corporate entities. Headquartered in London with offices across Europe and the Americas, Sumsub powers KYC (Know Your Customer), KYB (Know Your Business), AML screening, and fraud prevention through a single API and no-code workflow builder. ## What the API Does Sumsub provides a suite of verification products accessible through a unified REST API. At the core is its document verification engine, which supports over 14,000 ID document types from more than 220 countries and territories. The platform extracts data from submitted documents using OCR, validates authenticity through tamper detection and security feature analysis, and cross-references extracted data against government databases where available. Beyond document checks, Sumsub offers biometric face matching — comparing a selfie to the document photo — combined with active and passive liveness detection to prevent spoofing attacks using printed photos, videos, or 3D masks. The platform also includes Nigerian NIN slip recognition, voter card parsing, and international passport verification, making it well-suited for Nigerian developer compliance requirements. ## How Developers Use It Developers integrate Sumsub via REST API or through pre-built mobile/web SDKs for iOS, Android, React Native, and Flutter. The typical integration flow involves creating an applicant (a user object in Sumsub), generating an SDK access token, and embedding the Sumsub Web SDK or Mobile SDK to collect the user's documents and selfie. The SDK handles the camera capture, liveness instructions, and document upload entirely in-browser or in-app, and fires a webhook back to your server when verification completes. For server-side processing, key endpoints include: `POST /resources/applicants` to create an applicant, `GET /resources/applicants/{applicantId}/status` to check verification status, `GET /resources/applicants/{applicantId}/one` to retrieve full check results, and `POST /resources/applicants/{applicantId}/requiredIdDocs` to configure which document types to accept. Sumsub Studio is the platform's no-code workflow builder where teams can design custom verification journeys — choosing which checks to run (document, biometric, AML, database, etc.) in what order, with conditional branching based on risk signals, without writing additional code. ## Pricing & Fees Sumsub operates on a per-verification pricing model with monthly minimum commitments. For non-regulated use cases (e.g., marketplaces, gig economy), pricing starts at $149/month with a per-verification cost of approximately $1.35. For regulated entities (fintechs, banks, crypto exchanges), the minimum rises to $299/month with per-verification costs around $1.85. Enterprise plans with custom pricing are available for high-volume customers. Sumsub does not publicly list a free tier; however, a sandbox environment with test credentials is available to all registered developers at no cost. ## Authentication Sumsub uses a dual-token authentication system. Each API request requires an App Token (passed in the `X-App-Token` header) and a request-specific HMAC SHA-256 signature (passed in the `X-App-Access-Sig` header, generated by signing the request body + timestamp using your Secret Key). This scheme prevents replay attacks and ensures requests cannot be tampered with in transit. Developers must store the Secret Key securely and never expose it client-side. The Sumsub SDK separately uses short-lived SDK Access Tokens generated server-side to authenticate end-user sessions. ## Rate Limits Rate limits are not publicly published and vary by plan tier. Sumsub's enterprise plans are designed for high-volume throughput, and production limits are negotiated as part of the contract. Developers on standard plans should contact Sumsub support to confirm their applicable limits. The sandbox environment has its own separate limits appropriate for testing. ## Compliance & Regulations Sumsub is ISO 27001 certified and GDPR compliant. The platform supports compliance with FATF (Financial Action Task Force) recommendations for AML screening, PEP and sanctions list checks against global watchlists including OFAC, EU, UN, and UK Treasury lists. For Nigerian businesses, Sumsub's checks are compatible with CBN KYC guidelines (customer due diligence requirements), NDPR data handling requirements, and EFCC AML obligations. For crypto businesses, the platform includes a Travel Rule module supporting compliance with the FATF Travel Rule for Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs), enabling originator/beneficiary data transmission for transactions above regulatory thresholds. ## Challenges & Gotchas for Nigerian Developers 1. **No native BVN lookup**: Sumsub does not directly query the NIBSS BVN database. For BVN verification, you would need to combine Sumsub with a Nigerian BVN API like Mono or Okra. 2. **HMAC signing complexity**: The request signing process is more involved than a simple API key — developers must correctly generate the HMAC SHA-256 signature on every request. Using the official SDK wrappers significantly reduces integration friction. 3. **Pricing for Nigerian scale**: At $1.35–$1.85 per verification, the cost can be significant for mass-market Nigerian apps with millions of users. Factor verification costs into your unit economics early. 4. **Data residency**: Sumsub stores verification data in EU-based infrastructure by default. For NDPR compliance, confirm your data processing agreement covers Nigerian user data appropriately. 5. **Webhook reliability**: Always verify incoming webhooks using the Sumsub signature header before trusting the payload — do not skip webhook signature validation in production. ## Company Background Sumsub was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company has raised over $30 million in funding and serves clients in banking, crypto, lending, insurance, and marketplace industries. Notable clients include Bitpanda, Mercuryo, and Rapyd. Sumsub has a dedicated compliance team and regularly updates its watchlist databases and ID document templates. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Can I use Sumsub without a business registration in Nigeria?** A: You can sign up and start testing in sandbox mode without a Nigerian business registration. Going live and enabling billing requires a valid business entity and may require compliance documentation. **Q: Does Sumsub support NGN billing?** A: Sumsub bills in USD. Nigerian businesses will need to pay via USD card, wire transfer, or through a payment provider that supports USD billing. **Q: How long does a verification take?** A: Automated decisions are returned in under 60 seconds in most cases. Manual review (for edge cases flagged by the system) typically takes a few hours. **Q: Is there a free trial?** A: Sumsub provides a full-featured sandbox environment for testing. A paid subscription is required to go live and run real verifications.

MetaMap (formerly known as Mati) is a global identity verification and KYC (Know Your Customer) platform that enables businesses to verify the identities of their users through document scanning, liveness detection, biometric face matching, and direct database verification against government records. For Nigerian businesses, MetaMap provides native verification of Nigerian government-issued identity documents and databases — NIN (National Identification Number), BVN (Bank Verification Number), CAC (Corporate Affairs Commission) registrations, international passports, driver's licenses, and voter cards — making it one of the most comprehensive KYC solutions available for the Nigerian market. **What MetaMap Does** MetaMap provides a complete identity verification pipeline with multiple layers: **1. Document OCR and Authentication** Users submit a photo or scan of a government-issued ID. MetaMap's OCR engine automatically extracts all text fields (name, date of birth, ID number, expiry date), classifies the document type, and performs authenticity checks (detecting tampering, font anomalies, security feature violations). Supported Nigerian documents include: - NIN card (National Identity Card) - International passport (Nigerian e-passport) - Driver's license (FRSC-issued) - Voter's card (INEC-issued) - BVN-linked bank account identity **2. Liveness Detection** A selfie-based liveness challenge confirms the user is physically present and not using a photo or video replay attack. MetaMap's liveness detection uses active challenges (blinking, turning head, smiling) combined with passive AI analysis to detect spoofing attempts, meeting the requirements of ISO 30107-3 Presentation Attack Detection standards. **3. Biometric Face Match** After liveness confirmation, MetaMap compares the selfie against the photo on the submitted ID document. The biometric match score determines whether the person holding the ID is the same person pictured on it — the core protection against using stolen documents. **4. Database Verification (Nigeria-Specific)** Beyond document verification, MetaMap queries Nigerian government databases directly: - **NIN verification**: Validates the NIN number against NIMC (National Identity Management Commission) records - **BVN verification**: Validates the Bank Verification Number against CBN/NIBSS records - **CAC verification**: Validates Nigerian business registration numbers against CAC records for KYB (Know Your Business) checks - **Driver's license**: Validates against FRSC (Federal Road Safety Corps) database This database verification layer is critical — it confirms the document is not only authentic but also belongs to the specific individual presenting it. **5. AML Watchlist Screening** MetaMap screens names against global sanctions lists (OFAC, EU, UN), PEP (Politically Exposed Persons) databases, and adverse media sources — an essential layer for Nigerian financial institutions complying with FATF recommendations and CBN AML/CFT regulations. **6. KYB (Know Your Business)** For B2B onboarding, MetaMap supports business verification: confirming Nigerian company registration status through CAC, verifying beneficial ownership, and screening company names and directors against sanctions databases. **How Developers Integrate MetaMap** MetaMap provides multiple integration options: - **Web SDK**: A JavaScript SDK that renders the complete KYC flow in-browser — camera capture, liveness challenge, and document upload in a white-labeled UI - **Mobile SDK (iOS and Android)**: Native SDKs for embedding the KYC flow directly into mobile apps, leveraging the device camera and biometric capabilities - **REST API**: For server-side orchestration — submit pre-captured images via API for processing without using the UI SDKs - **No-Code Flow Links**: Generate a unique verification link to share with users who complete KYC via a web browser without any custom integration Authentication uses OAuth 2.0 client credentials: exchange your API client ID and secret for an access token, then use the token for all API calls. **Webhooks** MetaMap sends webhook notifications when verification status changes — approved, rejected, or pending manual review. This enables real-time onboarding automation without polling. **Pricing** MetaMap uses custom, volume-based pricing. There is no published self-serve pricing — businesses contact MetaMap sales to negotiate pricing based on: - Verification volume (number of checks per month) - Document types required (NIN + BVN database checks cost more than document-only checks) - Geographic markets - Contract length A free sandbox environment is available for development and testing. **Nigerian Regulatory Context** Nigerian fintech regulation requires KYC compliance at multiple tiers: - **CBN KYC Regulations**: Tiered KYC (Tier 1/2/3) for mobile money and payment service banks - **NDPR Compliance**: MetaMap processes biometric data — a special category under Nigeria's NDPR requiring explicit consent and enhanced data protection measures - **FATF Recommendations**: AML screening is required for financial institutions and virtual asset service providers MetaMap's Nigerian document verification and AML screening capabilities directly address these regulatory requirements, enabling Nigerian fintechs to demonstrate compliance during CBN examinations. **Company Background** MetaMap was founded in 2019 as Mati Identity and rebranded to MetaMap around 2021. The company is headquartered in San Francisco with strong emerging market focus, particularly in Latin America and Africa. They have raised significant venture funding and serve hundreds of businesses globally. MetaMap's Nigerian operations include direct integrations with NIN, BVN, and CAC databases — demonstrating a genuine commitment to the Nigerian market rather than a generic global solution applied superficially. MetaMap is a leading choice for Nigerian businesses that need comprehensive, end-to-end KYC with native Nigerian database verification, biometric liveness detection, and AML screening in a single integrated platform.

Smile Identity (also known as SmileID) is Africa's leading identity verification company, providing KYC, biometric authentication, document verification, and AML compliance infrastructure to businesses across 52 African countries. Founded with a specific focus on the African market, Smile Identity has built its technology to address a challenge that global identity verification providers consistently fail at: accurately verifying African identities using AI and biometrics trained on African faces. The company holds ISO 27001 (information security), SOC 2 Type 2 (security and availability), and ISO/IEC 30107-3:2023 Level 2 (biometric presentation attack detection) certifications — achieving a 0% biometric facial attack penetration rating, the highest level of liveness detection certification achievable. **Nigeria Coverage — 9 Government Databases, 132M+ Records** In Nigeria, Smile Identity verifies against nine government identity databases, providing the widest official data coverage of any single KYC provider in the market: 1. NIN (National Identification Number) — NIMC database 2. NIN V2 (enhanced NIN with additional fields) 3. V_NIN (Virtual NIN — tokenized format per NIMC policy) 4. BVN (Bank Verification Number) — NIBSS database 5. Bank Account verification 6. Phone Number verification 7. Voter ID (INEC — Independent National Electoral Commission) 8. FRSC Driver's License 9. International Passport This 9-database coverage gives Nigerian businesses access to 132 million+ identity records, ensuring that virtually any Nigerian customer with any government-issued ID can be verified through a single Smile Identity integration. **SmartSelfie — African-Face-Optimized Biometric Authentication** SmartSelfie is Smile Identity's proprietary biometric authentication system, built with six AI anti-spoof models specifically trained on African facial features. This is a critical differentiator: most global facial recognition systems are trained on predominantly Western facial data, resulting in significantly higher error rates (false rejections and false acceptances) for African users. SmartSelfie achieves 99.8% accuracy on African faces, making it the most reliable biometric tool for Nigerian and broader African customer onboarding. The system detects presentation attacks (photographs, videos, masks, deepfakes) at ISO/IEC 30107-3:2023 Level 2 — the highest certification level — with a documented 0% penetration rate in testing. **Document Verification & OCR** Smile Identity's document verification module uses OCR to extract data from physical and digital identity documents — passports, national IDs, driver's licenses — and cross-references the extracted data against government databases to confirm authenticity. This catches tampered, expired, or fabricated documents that database-only lookups would miss. **Business Verification (KYB)** For Know Your Business (KYB) compliance, Smile Identity verifies company registration details, directors, and ultimate beneficial ownership against business registry databases. This is used by B2B lenders, payment platforms, and corporate banking services. **AML Compliance** Smile Identity includes AML (Anti-Money Laundering) screening capabilities — checking customer identities against global sanctions lists, PEP databases, and adverse media — as part of the integrated compliance workflow. **52-Country African Coverage** Smile Identity supports identity verification across 52 African countries using country-specific national ID documents and government databases. This makes it the most geographically comprehensive African KYC provider, particularly valuable for platforms with pan-African ambitions. **Authentication & Integration** API access requires both an API Key and a Partner ID, issued after account registration at portal.usesmileid.com. Both credentials must be present in all API requests. SDKs are available for web, iOS, and Android — enabling both server-to-server integrations and embedded mobile verification flows. A free sandbox environment is available immediately upon registration. **Pricing** Per-verification pricing, tiered by volume. Specific rates vary by ID type and country. Enterprise volume pricing is available. Contact Smile Identity for current pricing schedules. **Why Choose Smile Identity Over Other Providers** The unique combination of 52-country African coverage, African-face-trained biometrics at ISO Level 2 certification, and 9 Nigerian government database access makes Smile Identity the strongest choice for African-market-focused KYC. Global providers like Jumio or Onfido offer broader international coverage but have weaker African-face accuracy and fewer Africa-specific database integrations. **Frequently Asked Questions** Q: What makes SmartSelfie different from standard facial recognition? A: SmartSelfie uses 6 AI models trained specifically on African faces, achieving 99.8% accuracy — far higher than Western-trained models. Q: How many Nigerian ID types can Smile Identity verify? A: Nine — NIN, NIN V2, vNIN, BVN, bank account, phone, Voter ID, FRSC Driver's License, and International Passport. Q: What certifications does Smile Identity hold? A: ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type 2, and ISO/IEC 30107-3:2023 Level 2 (0% biometric attack penetration). Q: Is there a sandbox for testing? A: Yes — register at portal.usesmileid.com to access sandbox credentials immediately. Q: Does Smile Identity cover countries outside Africa? A: Smile Identity is Africa-focused (52 countries). For non-African markets, use a global provider.