Standard Bank Ranked Among Top AI-Driven Banks in Middle East and Africa
The survey assesses banks using an "outside-in" methodology that draws entirely on publicly available information, such as disclosures, research outputs and partnerships.
Standard Bank Group has been ranked the most AI-mature bank in South Africa and the second most AI-mature bank overall in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) in the inaugural Evident AI Index for Banks, published by Evident Insights. The Group was also named the most innovative bank in AI across the Middle East and Africa. The Index is the first independent, data-driven benchmark of AI maturity across 25 banks in the region.
The survey assesses banks using an “outside-in” methodology that draws entirely on publicly available information, such as disclosures, research outputs and partnerships. It rates each bank against four measures: the depth of its AI talent, the strength of its innovation, the quality of its leadership and the transparency of its reporting.
“This recognition reflects the disciplined way we are embedding AI across the Standard Bank Group to improve client experience, support our people and strengthen business performance. We see AI as a long-term competitive capability, and this ranking validates the progress we have made in building the technology platform, risk guardrails, data and governance foundations required to scale AI responsibly across the Group. This recognition reflects the contribution of our 55,000 colleagues across the Group who are embracing AI and helping create a culture of adoption.”
– Margaret Nienaber, Chief Operating Officer, Standard Bank Group
“The next chapter of enterprise transformation comes when organisations treat AI not as a technology project, but as a core business capability embedded into the operating model.”
– Jörg Fischer, Standard Bank Group Chief Information Officer and Chief AI Officer

