SKSC launches new service in North Africa to support local business

SKSC, (Smurfit Kappa Security Concepts), the internationally recognised high security printing and identity management solutions provider, has launched a new service for the North African market, to support the ongoing development of secure printing in the region for items such as excise stamps, motor tax, education certificates.

Working in collaboration with local businesses SKSC will provide a range of services including consultancy and pre-press design and artwork (both physical and digital) in a move that will enable indigenous print businesses that may lack the experience and expertise in the security element, to maximise the opportunities in this fast- growing and complex marketplace. SKSC can provide design, production and logistics for documents requiring specialist security features using its expertise in both traditional and digital print.

The new service will further strengthen SKSC’s geographical presence and complement its existing agency agreements and direct relationships with Government and private organisations. The company’s projects in the region include the Tanzania ePassport, designed and delivered in partnership with AG2 and HID Global and its local partners SoftNet.

The Tanzanian ePassport is a state-of-the-art document that features a polycarbonate datapage. The design of the booklet captures local themes and cultures across the visa pages, datapage and end papers, helping to generate a sense of national pride in the passport holder.

Peter Thomas, Managing Director at SKSC said: “Fraud and related counterfeiting is commonplace in Africa often using identity documents such as birth and education certificates. This new service will enable us to bring our knowledge, expertise and specialist security design technology and combine it with local knowledge, recognising the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit of the players in the sector.

“We keep up to date with the latest fraud and counterfeit trends, designing products to combat future attacks and address the ever-improving technological techniques used by ‘bad actors’. Our in-depth understanding of data and brand protection is also integral to this. By working together with the local printing trade we can help make North Africa a safer place and help to protect against criminal elements, meeting today’s challenges head on.”