Surayyah Ahmad: Redefining Leadership and Opportunity for Africa at Oxford

In a remarkable acknowledgment of perseverance and impact, Nigerian entrepreneur and investor Surayyah Ahmad has been named one of Poets and Quants’ Best and Brightest MBAs of 2025. This prestigious recognition highlights exceptional MBA candidates from leading global institutions, celebrating academic excellence, leadership, and entrepreneurial influence. Surayyah’s selection is not just a personal triumph it is a groundbreaking moment for Nigeria and Africa. Born in Ibadan to a nomadic Fulani family with no tradition of formal education, Surayyah’s early years were filled with obstacles. She began primary school late and, by age 12, still struggled to read or write in English. Today, she stands as a beacon of transformation—a woman who rose from the margins to become one of Africa’s most respected voices in business, investment, and leadership.

Academic Excellence and Impact at Oxford
Surayyah is currently completing her MBA at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, one of the most competitive academic environments in the world. Beyond excelling academically, she has emerged as a leader on campus. She serves as Co-Chair of the Oxford Africa Business Alliance, is a Laidlaw Scholar, and an Oxford Impact Lab Fellow—positions that enable her to drive Africa-focused dialogue on global platforms. Through these roles, she is bridging African markets with international capital, thought leadership, and policy frameworks. Her efforts are amplifying the voices of emerging African innovators while reshaping global perceptions of the continent’s economic future.

Entrepreneurship and Investment in Underrepresented Markets
Surayyah’s work extends well beyond academia. She is the Co-Founder and General Partner at Sabou Capital, a venture capital firm specializing in investments in underserved markets across West and Central Africa. The firm prioritizes scalable, inclusive businesses, especially those led by women and those operating outside the usual urban centers like Lagos or Nairobi.

“We invest in the parts of Africa the world often overlooks Kano, Bangui, Maroua. Places with talent, energy, and ideas that deserve global attention,” she explains. Sabou Capital is not just deploying funds; it is fundamentally changing the narrative of who gets funded in Africa and why.

Before launching Sabou Capital, Surayyah was already a successful entrepreneur. She founded YDS Online, one of Nigeria’s early logistics and fulfillment platforms for e-commerce businesses. Navigating Nigeria’s challenging business environment, she scaled the company and successfully exited in 2022 an experience that deepened her insight into the systemic hurdles African entrepreneurs face.

A Global Voice for Inclusive Growth
What sets Surayyah apart is her commitment to linking personal experience with broader systems change. She is an advocate for inclusive growth models, advises global institutions on Africa’s investment landscape, and influences policy directions to support emerging markets better. Her recognition by Poets and Quants not only honors her achievements but also inspires a new generation of African leaders. As the first Nigerian featured in this capacity in recent years, Surayyah Ahmad is more than an MBA success story—she is a symbol of what is possible when vision meets opportunity.