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 biometric face verification and document scanning.How it works
1
Create a verification
Use the API to create a verification session with the required checks (face scan, document 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.
Key features
Face verification
Biometric face scan with liveness detection and age estimation.
Document scanning
Extract data from passports, national IDs, driver licenses, voter cards, refugee cards, and residence permits.
23 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.
Error handling
The API uses standard HTTP status codes. Errors return a JSON body withstatusCode, code, and message fields.
Example: Validation error