Ammar Al-Azhari

Saudi Arabian entrepreneur who revolutionized e-commerce in the Middle East through Souq.com

Introduction

Ammar Al-Azhari (born 1979) is a Saudi Arabian entrepreneur best known for co-founding Souq.com, the Middle East's leading e-commerce platform acquired by Amazon in 2017 for $580 million. His innovative approach to digital commerce transformed retail landscapes across 14 Arab countries, creating unprecedented access to global products while addressing regional challenges like fragmented markets and logistical barriers.

Early Life & Career

Al-Azhari's journey began in Jeddah where he studied computer science at King Abdulaziz University. His early exposure to tech entrepreneurship led him to co-found Souq.com in 2005 with his brother-in-law Ronaldo Mouchawar. The platform initially focused on consumer electronics but rapidly expanded into a full-service marketplace offering home appliances, fashion, and groceries.

Innovation & Impact

Key innovations included localized payment systems accommodating cash-on-delivery preferences and partnerships with regional logistics firms. By 2017, Souq employed over 3,000 people and partnered with 50,000+ merchants. Post-Amazon acquisition, Al-Azhari became Managing Director of Amazon Middle East, further scaling operations through strategic investments in AI-driven customer service and drone delivery pilots.

Social Impact

Al-Azhari's work enabled small businesses to reach pan-Arab audiences, boosting local entrepreneurship. His advocacy for digital literacy programs through Amazon's Future Engineer initiative has trained 100,000+ students in coding since 2018. Read more on Amazon's leadership page.