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 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 region.
The index is the first independent, data-driven benchmark of AI maturity across 25 banks in the Middle East and Africa. The survey assesses banks using an “outside-in” methodology that draws entirely on publicly available information including corporate disclosures, research outputs and partnerships. Each bank is rated 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,” said Margaret Nienaber, chief operating officer at Standard Bank Group. “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.”
Jörg Fischer, Standard Bank Group chief information officer and chief AI officer, said the maturity ranking reflects a broader shift in how banks are approaching AI. “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,” he said.
