About SPA Research

SPA Research: “Informing Governance through Rigorous Research and Analysis”

Somali Public Agenda (SPA) is a non-profit public policy and governance research organization dedicated to advancing inclusive and accountable governance in Somalia. Since its founding in 2018, SPA has emerged as a trusted source of independent, accessible, and context-specific research and analysis. The organization’s research and analytical work spans across research reports, policy papers, governance briefs, commentaries, and, more recently, public opinion polling through SPA Polls.

In a context where public policy and institutional reforms often lack grounded data and public input, SPA bridges the gap by providing evidence-based insights that reflect the realities and priorities of Somali communities.

SPA Research’s knowledge production and analytical outputs serves as a central and strategic pillar of Somali Public Agenda’s work. Its mission is “Informing Governance through Rigorous Research and Analysis”

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Purpose of SPA Research

SPA Research aims to:

Independence Research
Produce rigorous, independent research

that informs governance reforms, institutional development, and public policy in Somalia.

Amplify citizen voices
Amplify citizen voices

by reflecting public experiences and perspectives in governance discourse.

Provide actionable insights
Provide actionable insights

that guide policymakers, civil society, and development partners.

Strengthen a Somali-led research culture
Strengthen a Somali-led research culture

by investing in local researchers and capacity building.

Key Outputs of SPA Research

SPA Research encompasses a range of knowledge products, each serving a unique purpose within SPA’s mission:

Research Reports

Research Reports

Comprehensive, evidence-based studies examining key governance and policy issues such as decentralization, democratization and elections, financial governance, public service delivery, justice, and security. These reports draw on qualitative and quantitative methodologies, including fieldwork.

Policy Papers

Policy Papers

Concise documents offering actionable recommendations for policymakers, based on the findings of SPA research. These are written in a practical and accessible format to guide decision-making processes.

Governance Briefs

Governance Briefs

Timely and focused analyses of emerging governance developments, legislation, institutional shifts, or policy debates in Somalia.

Commentaries

Commentaries

Thought-provoking opinion pieces authored by SPA researchers that provide expert analysis on governance and political issues from a Somali perspective.

SPA Polls

SPA Polls

Quantitative public opinion research that captures the views and perceptions of Somali citizens on political, governance, and service delivery issues. SPA Polls serve as a public barometer and contribute valuable data to other SPA research products.

SPA Annual Reports

SPA Annual Reports

Yearly publications that summarize SPA’s contributions over the year, and assess the impact of SPA’s work on public policies. The SPA Annual Report also reinforces SPA’s transparency and accountability as a think and action organization.

SPA Research Team

Farhan Isak Yusuf

Deputy Executive Director & Research Director

Aweis Ahmed

Director, SPA Policy Lab

Mohamed Adam

SPA Forums Director

SPA Publications

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