Standard Bank ranked South Africa’s most AI-mature bank

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.

Francois Gamet, Chief Executive, Standard Bank Mauritius commented on this recognition: “Being recognised as the most AI-mature bank in South Africa and among the leaders in the region reflects the strength of our ambition and execution. Standard Bank Group is deliberately investing in talent, technology and governance to ensure that AI becomes a responsible and scalable engine of innovation across the Group.” He also added: AI is used to drive better outcomes for our clients, empower our people, and deliver sustainable growth. AI is being built not as a standalone capability, but as a strategic differentiator that will shape the future of banking across our markets.”

Margaret Nienaber, Chief Operating Officer of Standard Bank Group, says: “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.”

Jörg Fischer, Standard Bank Group Chief Information Officer and Chief AI Officer, says: “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.”