MAPUTO, Mozambique and HOLMDEL, N.J., Feb. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — BIO-key® International, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKYI), a global leader in biometric-centric Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, today announced a new strategic, multi-year agreement with Sociedade Interbancária de Moçambique (SIMO), the operator of Mozambique’s national electronic payments network. Working in partnership with RunLevel, a specialized regional integrator with identity and cybersecurity experience across Africa, BIO-key will support the modernization of identity and access security across SIMO’s financial ecosystem. The agreement builds on BIO-key’s and RunLevel’s first joint IAM deployment in Mozambique, in May 2025, for a major National Bank.
Under initiative, BIO-key’s PortalGuard® IAM platform, PIN:You™ tokenless authentication, and Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities will be integrated into SIMO’s environment to improve governance, boost cybersecurity resilience, and streamline secure access for institutions participating in the national payments infrastructure.
The agreement supports SIMO’s long-term strategy to adopt enterprise-grade identity security aligned with international best practices while continuing to modernize Mozambique’s financial sector. The deployment represents BIO-key’s 11th banking and financial sector customer globally.
SIMO plays a key role in Mozambique’s banking system, by enabling interoperability, clearing, and settlement services across banks and financial service providers via the country’s single national electric payments network known as SIMOrede. As digital banking adoption accelerates to serve Mozambique population of 36.6 million, the need for strong, identity-first security has become critical to maintaining trust, operational continuity, and regulatory compliance.
“As Mozambique’s financial system continues to evolve, identity security is vital for ensuring trust, interoperability, and operational resilience across payment services,” said Juna Chiloveque, SIMO’s IT Security and Compliance, CISO. “Partnering with BIO-key and RunLevel allows SIMO to adopt modern identity and access management solutions that strengthen governance, protect essential systems, and support the secure digital transformation of our national payments infrastructure.”
“Partnering with SIMO and BIO-key on this project demonstrates RunLevel’s commitment to strengthening digital trust across Africa’s financial ecosystems,” said Miguel Guerreiro, Managing Partner, RunLevel. “By combining local expertise with advanced IAM technologies, we are helping establish secure authentication foundations that allow banks to innovate confidently while safeguarding critical payment infrastructure.”
“Our collaboration with SIMO marks an important step in supporting secure digital banking infrastructure in Mozambique,” said Alex Rocha, BIO-key’s Managing Director – International. “Together with RunLevel, we are deploying scalable IAM technologies that help financial institutions modernize access, reduce identity risks, and enable trusted digital services across the ecosystem.”
About Sociedade Interbancária de Moçambique (SIMO) (https://www.bancomoc.mz/en/)
SIMO manages the country’s unified electronic payments system, enabling secure clearing, settlement, and interoperability across Mozambique’s banking and financial services network. SIMO plays an important role in advancing financial inclusion and digital transformation nationwide.
About Runlevel (http://www.runlevel.pt)
Runlevel is a specialized cybersecurity solutions provider focusing on Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP) and Timor-Leste. The company delivers advanced IT security, infrastructure, and compliance solutions, helping organizations navigate the evolving cybersecurity landscape with best-in-class technology and expert consulting services.
About BIO-key International, Inc. (http://www.BIO-key.com)
BIO-key is revolutionizing authentication and cybersecurity with biometric-centric, multi-factor identity and access management (IAM) software securing access for over forty million users. BIO-key allows customers to choose the right authentication factors for diverse use cases, including phoneless, tokenless, and passwordless biometric options. Its cloud-hosted or on-premise PortalGuard IAM solution provides cost-effective, easy-to-deploy, convenient, and secure access to computers, information, applications, and high-value transactions.
BIO-key Safe Harbor Statement
All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical facts are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”). The words “estimate,” “project,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made based on management’s beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management pursuant to the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Act. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to disclose any revision to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
BIO-key Resources:
https://www.bio-key.com/portalguard-2/
https://www.bio-key.com/biometrics/
https://www.bio-key.com/hardware/
Investor Contacts:
William Jones, David Collins Catalyst IR
BKYI@catalyst-ir.com or 212-924-9800
