Introduction
In a prestigious achievement that underscores its continued technological leadership and the success of its digital transformation strategy, Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey, has well-deservedly secured the top spot in the inaugural Evident AI Index, which evaluates the performance of banks and financial institutions in the Middle East and Africa. This high ranking reinforces the bank’s exceptional position as one of the most advanced and mature financial institutions in the region regarding its ability to adopt advanced artificial intelligence technologies and deploy them with high efficiency to serve customers. This excellent result crowns the bank’s ongoing efforts to integrate the latest digital technologies into its comprehensive strategy to provide a seamless and innovative banking experience that keeps pace with digital future aspirations.
- Evident Independent Index criteria for evaluating digital maturity
- Exceptional performance outperforming major regional banks
- Integrating artificial intelligence into the banking institution culture
- Attracting specialized talent and expertise in the region
- Overview of the banking group and its profound community impact
- Frequently asked questions
Evident Independent Index criteria for evaluating digital maturity
The Evident AI Index serves as the first independent, transparent benchmark based entirely and exclusively on precise analytical data to measure actual maturity in adopting diverse AI uses and applications in contemporary banking. This prestigious index evaluates the performance of the largest and most important financial institutions operating in the region across four core pillars: the ability to attract and develop technical human talent, the scale of innovation and product development, the strength of executive strategic leadership, and institutional transparency levels in using these technologies. Emirates NBD’s top ranking in this index for the first time reflects its exceptional and superior performance across all these rigorous criteria, highlighting the strength and effectiveness of its technological strategy.
Exceptional performance outperforming major regional banks
This advanced and reliable ranking places Emirates NBD significantly ahead of 24 of the largest and strongest regional banks located in economically leading countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Qatar, Kuwait, Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan. This regional and international recognition underscores the bank’s firm commitment to leading and shaping the future of modern digital banking services. AI-driven methodical transformation represents a clear and specific strategic priority for the bank’s senior management, sitting at the core of the financial group’s comprehensive business strategy, customer service programs, and advanced human resources practices.
Integrating artificial intelligence into the banking institution culture
In this important and historic context for the bank, Shayne Nelson, Group CEO of Emirates NBD, stated: “Receiving this prestigious and independent recognition today is conclusive proof of our ongoing aspirations to lead the region in providing innovative and unique banking services that primarily focus on meeting and exceeding growing customer expectations day after day. Our steadfast institutional approach involves deeply and fundamentally integrating artificial intelligence technologies into our daily culture and work environment, ensuring our human resources are directly empowered through the use of our latest technologies and simplifying the banking experience for all our customers to ensure maximum efficiency and total satisfaction.”
Attracting specialized talent and expertise in the region
For her part, Alexandra Mousavizadeh, co-founder and CEO of independent firm Evident, noted that the Emirati bank’s outstanding performance in the index clearly reflects its balanced and deliberate approach to managing a complex digital transformation journey, while registering solid performance across all talent and innovation measurement criteria. She explained that the bank demonstrated the exemplary traits of an entity that has laid solid foundations for transformation, which is particularly evident in its embrace of the highest percentage of specialized and expert AI talent among all banks in the Middle East region. These smart and early investments have begun to clearly translate into expanding the scope of AI applications within the bank’s business.
Overview of the banking group and its profound community impact
Emirates NBD Group, officially listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a massive and influential banking entity with a strong presence in 13 countries worldwide, providing advanced services to over 10 million active customers across various sectors. As of the end of the first quarter of 2026, the bank’s total assets reached a staggering estimated 1.2 trillion UAE dirhams. The group conducts its extensive commercial and banking operations through a massive network of 790 modern branches. Alongside its clear financial and technological superiority, the bank continues to support its communities through its pioneering Exchanger volunteer program, which has contributed over 160,000 volunteer hours to serve community causes and support social solidarity.
Frequently asked questions
Question: What ranking did Emirates NBD achieve in the Evident Index?
Answer: The bank achieved first place as the best and most advanced bank in adopting and maturing artificial intelligence technologies in the region.
Question: What are the four main pillars relied upon by this independent index?
Answer: The precise index evaluates human talent, innovation level, executive strategic leadership, and institutional transparency.
Question: In how many countries does the bank provide its banking services to customers?
Answer: The bank enjoys a strong and widespread presence in 13 countries worldwide, serving over 10 million active commercial customers.
Question: How have the bank’s investments in talent enhanced its technological standing?
Answer: By attracting and embracing the highest percentage of specialized technology talent in the region, which accelerated the development and deployment of smart banking solutions.
