83% of African banks raise AI spending, a third don't track ROI

A 2026 Backbase and African Banker survey of 277 banking executives across 37 African countries found 83.2% plan to increase AI spending over the next 12 months, while only 67.1% formally track ROI. Among banks that don't measure returns at all, 82% still plan to expand budgets. Standard Bank cut loan documentation vetting from about an hour to 60 seconds, with 39,000 employees using generative AI.

• 83.2% of African banks plan higher AI spending in 12 months
• Only 67.1% of respondents formally track AI ROI
• 82% of banks without ROI tracking still plan bigger budgets
• Standard Bank cut loan document vetting from an hour to a minute