SIDRA is a registered independent, not-for-profit research and policy analysis think tank based in 🇸🇴. @SIDRAPrime is a unit of SIDRA.
Garowe, Puntland, Somalia
Joined July 2015
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To find out more about @SIDRAInstitute and its activities and services, watch this introduction clip📺.👇.
Today is #WorldPolioDay, a reminder of the importance of vaccination in protecting children and ending polio. In our previously published policy brief, we highlighted that approximately 60% of #Somali children under two have received none of the four basic routine childhood vaccines, including polio, according to the 2020 Somali Health and Demographic Survey. #SIDRAPublication #EndPolio #Somalia
Read here 👉bit.ly/4kbwkj4
We are proud to join @SVoice2030 as an Affiliate Member, becoming the first research institute from 🇸🇴 to be part of this global network of think tanks.
This membership marks an important milestone for @SIDRAInstitute, creating new opportunities to strengthen research collaboration, share evidence-based knowledge, and contribute Somali perspectives to global development discussions.
We look forward to engaging with fellow members and building partnerships that advance research, policy dialogue, and sustainable development across the Global South.
#SouthernVoice #Somalia #ResearchForDevelopment
🌍🇸🇴 We officially welcome our partners @SIDRAInstitute from Somalia as new Southern Voice affiliate-members!
SIDRA is 1 of 11 new organizations joining us to increase our geographic reach, thematic areas of coverage, and methodological diversity.
They bring innovative technical solutions to key development issues through knowledge-based dialogue. Some of their key initiatives include the Health Alliance for Digital Development and Action (HADDA), and the Empowering Learning and Evidence-Based Adaptation for GCERF’s P/CVE Grants in Somalia and Kenya. We invite you to access their page, learn more about their work, and reach out for opportunities to collaborate!
Southern Voice is now a community of 82 think tanks, reaching 40 different countries across the Global South.
Stay tuned to learn more about our new members, as we introduce and celebrate them!
In our study, “Upholding the Right to Health in Contexts of Displacement: A Whole-of-Route Policy Analysis in South Africa, Kenya, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” we examine the challenges displaced populations face in accessing essential healthcare services across different stages of their displacement journeys.
Our findings highlight significant gaps in mental health services, including inadequate resources, limited cultural responsiveness, and weak integration into broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) frameworks.
The study underscores the importance of strengthening inclusive, accessible, and migrant-responsive health systems that uphold the right to health for everyone, regardless of their displacement status or location. #RightToHealth #Migration #Displacement #MentalHealth #UniversalHealthCoverage #HealthPolicy #SIDRAPublication
Read more➡️bit.ly/4igZv2N
SIDRA Institute retweeted
🆕🗞️ Our organisation is growing! This October, Southern Voice is proud to announce the welcoming of 11 new affiliate-members to the network, growing our community from 71 to 82 think tanks, now reaching 40 different countries across the Global South. The new additions reflect at a time when the network is expanding in geographic reach, thematic areas of coverage, and methodological diversity.
This is also the first time we are introducing an affiliate program for new members. Please join us in welcoming, from each region:
🌍 Africa: @BotsThinkTank @ForEnterprises @SIDRAInstitute @the_nsi
🌏 Asia: @irim_mongolia @SIPG_NSU
🌎 Latin America and the Caribbean: BRICS Policy Center, @CIOdDUCR @fundarpoliticas @FundarMexico @transversal_t
Learn more about our new members and affiliate process!
🔗 southernvoice.org/southern-v…
On World Mental Health Day, we highlight findings from our study, Strengthening #Somalia’s Mental Health Workforce: A Case Study of Puntland. Our study identifies key challenges facing mental health services, including inadequate healthcare infrastructure, a shortage of trained professionals, stigma and cultural misconceptions, limited specialized education and training, policy gaps, and inadequate funding.
These findings underscore the urgent need for greater investment in mental health services, professional training, public awareness, and stronger government commitment to ensure access to quality mental healthcare. Building a stronger mental health workforce is essential to improving well-being and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Read more ➡️bit.ly/4jaUWbr
#WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth #Somalia #Puntland
SIDRA Institute is proud to join @SVoice2030 as an Affiliate Member, becoming the first research institute from Somalia to join the global network of think tanks from the Global South.
We look forward to connecting with think tanks across the Global South, sharing knowledge, strengthening collaboration and contributing to important global policy conversations. #SouthernVoice #GlobalSouth #ThinkTanks
🌐 Today, we hosted our virtual 2026 General Assembly with representatives from all across our network members!
This was a fantastic opportunity to get together, reflect on our impact, and shape the road ahead for the organization - including welcoming new affiliate-members, which are helping our network grow.
In discussing our impact, we talked about the opportunities to influence key global conversations and to strengthen think tanks in the Global South. Some of these strategic global debates include the Post-2030 Agenda and the Future of Development Cooperation, the UN leadership selection through our work at the @1for8billion campaign, our Global South Common Agenda on Climate Change initiative, and an upcoming Inclusive Science declaration.
Conversations about the road ahead focused on strategic planning and sustainability, and provided an overview of our strategy, key initiatives and financial report. This ensures that the network is on the same page now as we look towards the future and everything we can build there.
And in powering our collective influence, we had the pleasure to welcome Southern Voice's new affiliate-members! They will help us continue to build a vibrant network, advancing our collective value, growth and engagement. With 11 new representatives from 10 countries in all of our three key regions, please meet:
🔴 Africa: @BotsThinkTank, @ForEnterprises, @SIDRAInstitute, @the_nsi
🔴 Asia: @irim_mongolia, @SIPG_NSU
🔴 Latin America: BRICS Policy Center, @CIOdDUCR,
@fundarpoliticas, @FundarMexico, @transversal_t
Collaboration was the key word that came up again and again when we brainstormed the value of the Southern Voice community. 🤝 Many others also emerged, including connection, cooperation, diversity, learning and solidarity. And we agree that this is what our network is all about!
We thank all member representatives who participated in our General Assembly, and cannot wait to continue to build our collective impact with you.
The central finding of our study is that the resurgence of piracy in #Somalia is not simply a maritime security issue. The study shows that it is closely linked to poverty, weak coastal governance, illegal foreign fishing, declining marine resources, and limited livelihood opportunities. At the same time, pirate groups have become more organized and have adopted more sophisticated technologies and methods.
The study therefore calls for a broader response that combines maritime security with sustainable fisheries management, alternative livelihood opportunities, stronger governance and law enforcement, and greater international cooperation to address illegal fishing, rather than relying on naval operations alone.
➡️bit.ly/4yi2Lkl
Since the collapse of the Somali state, weak control over maritime borders, limited law enforcement and judicial capacity, and the influence of corruption and clan dynamics have created an environment where piracy can operate with minimal risk of punishment. #SIDRAPublication #Piracy #MaritimeSecurity #RuleOfLaw #Fisheries
Read more 👉bit.ly/4gqxMup
SIDRA Institute retweeted
Mr Abdi Omar Bile @Abdiomarbile, Communications Expert, Somali Institute for Development Research & Analysis @SIDRAInstitute, Somalia highlighted the evolving digital public infrastructure landscape, with the private sector playing a key role in telecommunications and mobile money, alongside growing use of digital systems in public financial management, business registration and social protection. He identified interoperability and data exchange, digital identity, cybersecurity and data protection, institutional coordination, and digital skills as key areas for further strengthening. He outlined four opportunities for international cooperation: secure and inclusive digital identity and authentication; shared digital infrastructure, standards and APIs; cybersecurity and data protection capacity; and digital skills and knowledge transfer, emphasising the value of adapting lessons from countries with similar digital transitions to Somalia’s context.
#DigitalPublicInfrastructure #GlobalSouth #DPI #SouthSouthCooperation #SSC #DevelopmentCooperation #DAKSHIN #RIS
@MEAIndia @dpa_mea @SudhakarDalela @SKSharma_World @RIS_NewDelhi @RajanRatna @cmec_ris @AIC_aseanindia @fitm14 @fisd19 @forum_blue @FIDC_NewDelhi @psbirthal @TheAtulKaushik @Prabir_India @sujeetsamaddar @pdash76 @PV_Chat @sabya_saha @AmitK_PhD @susheco @GaurPankhuri @amitdasvaranasi @monika_koc56097
Opinion: Africa’s Think Tanks at a Turning Point: Funding Pressure, Politics and Rapid Technological Change
The @onthinktanks State of the Sector Report 2026 offers an interesting picture of this transition. Based on responses from 299 think tanks in 94 countries, the report looks at how organisations are responding to changes in funding, political pressure and technology. For Africa, the findings are particularly relevant because many think tanks continue to depend heavily on international and project-based funding.
Read👉 bit.ly/3TdzMyN
Congratulations to GCERF on its 12th anniversary! For over a decade, GCERF has demonstrated that preventing violent extremism requires strong communities, local ownership, meaningful partnerships, and sustained investment in prevention. In 2026, SIDRA Institute and GCERF began a partnership in #Somalia, with SIDRA serving as a Learning Partner to support monitoring, learning, rapid needs assessments, and knowledge-sharing. SIDRA is proud to contribute to this shared mission and looks forward to strengthening evidence, learning, and community resilience in support of sustainable prevention efforts.
🎉Today, GCERF turns 12.
25+ countries. More than five million people reached.
One enduring conviction: Preventing violent extremism begins with communities.
💐We celebrate the partners, governments, and donors who have built GCERF - and recommit to sustaining prevention in an uncertain world.
@EU_Commission @EU_FPI @CenterCve @dfat @AMC_corporatif @GAC_Corporate @francediplo @DanishMFA @ItalyMFA @Utrikesdep @MFA_Lu @AuswaertigesAmt @NorwayMFA @MofaQatar_EN @SwissMFA @GCERF_ED @stefanomanservi
#Somalia’s path toward greater self-reliance requires stronger financial management, improved domestic revenue mobilisation, greater transparency and accountability, and closer collaboration between the Federal Government and Federal Member States. Investing in productive sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and livestock can help reduce dependence on humanitarian aid, create jobs, strengthen local economies, and build sustainable public revenues. Strong institutions, accountable leadership, and strategic investment are essential for a more resilient Somalia. #SIDRAPublication
Read more👉 bit.ly/4x9rsOm
Since the collapse of the Somali state, weak control over maritime borders, limited law enforcement and judicial capacity, and the influence of corruption and clan dynamics have created an environment where piracy can operate with minimal risk of punishment. #SIDRAPublication #Piracy #MaritimeSecurity #RuleOfLaw #Fisheries
Read more 👉bit.ly/4gqxMup
The INTERPOL report provides a useful regional perspective and confirms the breach of the Somalia e-visa system. However, it contains limited Somalia-specific data, making it difficult to assess the country’s cyber threat landscape statistically. This provides a clear justification for the SIDRA policy brief, which examines #Somalia’s current cybersecurity landscape, institutional and technical capacity, gaps in cybersecurity data, opportunities to strengthen cybersecurity, and provides policy recommendations.
Read our Policy Brief👉🔗bit.ly/4xZLYm8
🚨 INTERPOL report finds AI linked to more than half of cybercrime in Africa
Cyberattacks are becoming faster, more scalable, and increasingly difficult for victims and platforms to detect, according to INTERPOL’s African Cyberthreat Assessment Report 2026.
The report points to a major shift: cybercrime has evolved into an industrialized, borderless ecosystem.
Key findings include:
🔵 55% of cybercrimes reported in Africa are AI-enabled.
🔵 Online scams are the most frequently reported form of cybercrime.
🔵 Financial services, telecoms, and government institutions are the hardest hit.
🔵 Cybercrime-related financial losses have more than doubled since 2024, rising to USD 484 million.
🔵 72% of surveyed countries reported scam centres, with the highest concentration in Southern and West Africa.
🔵 Criminals are bypassing biometric checks by creating AI-generated synthetic identities that combine real personal data with fabricated elements.
🔗 Find out more: interpol.int/News-and-Events…
SIDRA Institute retweeted
#REPORT: A new @SIDRAInstitute report warns that insecurity and renewed tensions in Gaalkacyo could undermine trade, private investment and the strategic Garacad–Gaalkacyo–Galdogob economic corridor, stressing that sustained stability is essential for regional economic growth.
Read the full report: bit.ly/4wIQKDC
New Policy Brief
#Galkayo is one of #Somalia's most strategic cities, but it is also a place where peace requires constant protection. Years of dialogue, security cooperation, and peacebuilding efforts have contributed to tangible stability. However, recent security and political developments have renewed concerns over the potential for escalating tensions.
This new policy brief by SIDRA Institute examines the evolving security situation in Galkayo, highlighting the key drivers of the current tensions, the risks of further escalation if left unaddressed, and the potential implications for peace, security, economic activity, trade, and counterterrorism efforts led by #Puntland and #Galmudug.
The study also demonstrates that Galkayo is not only a city of historical significance to Somalia's peace process but also a strategic corridor that underpins regional trade, investment, and economic development. As such, preserving stability in Galkayo is a regional imperative that extends beyond Puntland and Galmudug.
Drawing on evidence-based analysis, the policy brief presents practical policy recommendations aimed at strengthening political dialogue, enhancing security cooperation, preventing conflict, and safeguarding the peacebuilding gains achieved over the past decade.
Read more 👉bit.ly/4wIQKDC
What drives piracy in #Somalia?
Our study, Piracy and Peril in Somalia: Economic Despair and Overfishing, identified four key drivers behind the resurgence of piracy:
📉 Economic hardship
🎣 Illegal foreign fishing
⚖️ Weak governance
🌍 Strategic geography
Our findings show that addressing piracy requires more than naval patrols. Sustainable solutions must tackle the underlying economic, governance, and maritime resource challenges that fuel piracy. #SIDRAPublication #SIDRAPolicyVoice #Somalia #Piracy #MaritimeSecurity
Read more👉bit.ly/4mVGLXp
