EVIDENT AI INDEX | BANKS
2026 Key Findings Report
ABOUT THE EVIDENT AI INDEX FOR BANKS - MEA
In June 2026, we launched the Evident AI Index for Banks - MEA edition, ranking 25 major Middle Eastern & African banks on their AI maturity across four pillars: Transparency, Leadership, Innovation, and Talent.Â
Read on to explore the key findings, or download the full report. You can also join us on 30 June for a live roundtable with the region's top AI executives to unpack the results and explore what the frontrunners are doing differently.
KEY FINDINGS
FOUR REGIONAL FRONTRUNNERS
Four banks – Emirates NBD, Standard Bank Group, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and Nedbank Group – lead Evident’s inaugural ranking of AI maturity within the banking sector specific to the Middle East & Africa (MEA).
INDEX LEADERS DRIVE MORE AI USE CASES AND OUTCOMES
Over the past two years, the 25 banks in the region have documented more than 50 AI use cases. Leading banks drive a larger share of these use cases – underscoring an ability to scale use cases and document related outcomes.
SOUTH AFRICAN BANKS OUTPACE THE WIDER REGION
While the ranking illustrates the presence of AI mature banks across each geography, 5 of the 6 South African banks place among the top-10, illustrating comparative high talent volumes, proximity to strong research universities, and close alignment with emerging regulatory from the central bank.
AI TALENT REMAINS THE CORE CONSTRAINT TO SCALING
Talent remains the core constraint to scaling AI across the region. On average, the volume of AI Development talent relative to overall headcount is half that found in Evident’s benchmark of global banks – limiting the in-house expertise currently deployed to develop, build and scale advanced AI systems effectively throughout the enterprise.
CONSTRAINED "BUILD" CAPABILITY DRIVES BUY-AND-INTEGRATE STRATEGY
While buying solutions can accelerate adoption, generalized models designed for global enterprises are often poorly optimized for the localized needs of regional markets. In response, over half of the banks are engaged in venture investments – with clear evidence of capability-building in strategic areas with direct relevance to financial services.
BANKS DRIVING MEASURABLE AI OUTCOMES CONTRIBUTE TO REGIONAL AI STRATEGY
Across the region, 14 of the 25 banks have documented recent contributions to national or regional innovation ecosystems, including shaping policies or regulation related to AI. Within MEA, such external engagement helps drive greater articulation of internal AI priorities and corresponding use cases.
A MORE DEMANDING COMPLIANCE HORIZON
The regulatory environment for AI throughout MEA is moving from a period of "soft law" guidance to one of binding horizontal and sectoral frameworks. South African banks are further ahead on this “compliance horizon” than immediate peers, claiming 4 of the top-5 spots in the Transparency pillars.
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What MEA Banking Leaders Do Differently
Join top AI executives from the region’s leading banks to unpack the results of the inaugural edition Evident AI Index for Banks - MEA and explore what the region's frontrunners are doing differently.
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EVIDENT AI INDEX | BANKS
MEA
Evident AI Index | Banks - MEA
Explore the 2026 ranking and learn more about the methodology behind the first outside-in benchmark of AI maturity in Middle Eastern & African banking.
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