The Banking Executive Magazine - February 2026 Issue 2

Digital Egypt 2026 And AI Strategy appointed the world’s first Minister of State for AI. Qatar (AI+X Strategy): Qatar’s AI strategy, aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030, empha- sizes building a knowledge-based economy. The launch of Qai, a na- tional AI company, supports digital ecosystems, innovation, and talent attraction. Qatar positions itself as an “AI+X Nation,” integrating AI across all sectors. Bahrain (AI Policy aligned with Vision 2030): Bahrain has adopted a National Pol- icy for AI, focusing on responsible and ethical deployment. It empha- sizes AI in government services, dig- ital transformation, and sustainable growth. Bahrain collaborates with UNESCO and regional partners to strengthen governance and ethics frameworks. Kuwait (AI Strategy 2025–2028): Kuwait’s National AI Strategy aligns with Vision 2035, aiming to integrate AI into economic and social frame- works. It focuses on workforce em- powerment, ethical AI, and building a knowledge-based economy. Mi- crosoft has supported Kuwait in draft- ing its AI framework. Oman (AI Strategy 2025–2030): Oman’s AI strategy is part of Vision 2040, targeting 30,000 AI jobs and $5 billion in economic impact. It em- phasizes digital sovereignty, ethical governance, and infrastructure such as a proposed National AI Supercom- puter. Oman aims to be a Gulf inno- vation hub by 2030. Saudi Arabia (National Strategy for Data & AI, Vision 2030): Saudi Arabia’s SDAIA-led strategy in- tegrates AI into Vision 2030, with massive investments (over $40 bil- lion) in AI infrastructure. It focuses on embedding AI across healthcare, ed- ucation, energy, and smart cities. Saudi Arabia aims to be among the top global leaders in AI adoption and innovation. This comparative analysis shows how each country is aligning AI with its national vision plans (2030/2040/2035), with Egypt focusing on regional leadership, UAE on global leadership, Qatar on integration, Bahrain on ethics, Kuwait on workforce, Oman on sovereignty, and Saudi Arabia on scale and investment. ISSUE 206 FEBRUARY 2026 the BANKING EXECUTIVE 31 AI strategies in Egypt, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia Country Egypt UAE Qatar Bahrain Kuwait Oman Saudi Arabia AI Strategy / Vision National AI Strategy (2025–2030) AI Strategy 2031 AI+X Strategy (aligned with Vision 2030) National AI Policy (Vision 2030) National AI Strategy (2025–2028, Vision 2035) AI Strategy (2025–2030, Vision 2040) National Strategy for Data & AI (Vision 2030) Focus Areas Governance, healthcare, development, cross-sector innovation Government performance, economy, transport, healthcare, education Knowledge economy, innova- tion, Arabic NLP, digital ecosys- tems Ethical AI, government services, digital transformation Workforce empowerment, ethical AI, knowledge economy Jobs creation, digital sovereignty, ethical governance Healthcare, education, energy, smart cities Key Highlights Aims to be Africa & Arab regional hub; focuses on AI4G, AI4D, AI4H, AI4X pil- lars. First country with Minister of AI; goal to be global AI leader by 2031. Launch of Qai (national AI company); aims to integrate AI across all sectors. Collaborates with UNESCO; empha- sizes responsible AI governance. Supported by Microsoft; focuses on em- bedding AI in economic and social frameworks. Target: 30,000 AI jobs, $5B economic impact; plans for National AI Supercom- puter. Led by SDAIA; $40B+ investment; aims to be top global AI adopter.