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What is pawaPass?

pawaPass provides identity verification services across Africa. The API enables you to create and manage user verification processes, supporting multiple verification methods including document scanning and biometric face verification.

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How it works

1

Create a verification

Use the API to create a verification session with the required checks (document scan, face scan, or both).
2

Redirect or embed

Send the user to the returned verification URL, or embed the flow directly in your app using the Web SDK.
3

Get results

Receive a webhook notification or poll the API when the verification is complete. Retrieve extracted identity document data and verification status.

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Key features

Document scanning

Extract data from passports, national IDs, driver licenses, voter cards, refugee cards, and residence permits.

Face verification

Biometric face scan with liveness detection and age estimation.

20 African countries

Coverage across West, East, Central, and Southern Africa.

Webhooks

Real-time notifications for verification status changes and identity document updates, secured with HMAC signatures.

Web SDK

Embed the verification flow directly in your app. The user never leaves your site.

Sandbox environment

Test your integration with a dedicated sandbox before going live.

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Error handling

The API uses standard HTTP status codes. Errors return a JSON body with statusCode, code, and message fields.
StatusMeaning
400Validation error. Check the details field for field-specific errors
401Unauthorized. Invalid or missing API key
404Resource not found
Example: Validation error
{
  "statusCode": 400,
  "code": "VALIDATION_ERROR",
  "message": "Input data is invalid. Please check the details.",
  "details": {
    "externalId": "externalId should not be empty",
    "requirements": "requirements must contain at least 1 elements"
  }
}