As we conclude another significant year, we reflect on our efforts to improve governance in Somalia and amplify citizens’ voices. When we founded Somali Public Agenda (SPA) eight years ago, our mission was to elevate citizens’ voices and provide policymakers with data-driven analysis to guide policy decisions. In 2025, our work continued to place citizens’ voices at the center through the publication of research and analytical papers and by fostering dialogue between policymakers and the public to inform policies and strengthen governance in Somalia.

In 2025, we achieved record milestones across our programmes: we published a record 23 research and analytical papers, convened 31 forums—both in person in Nairobi, Mogadishu, Kismayo, Garowe, Bosaso, Qardho, Dhusamareb, and Adado, and online—attended by over 1,300 participants, and trained 73 primarily youth trainees in research and writing. We also released 36 podcast episodes, reaching hundreds of thousands of listeners.

We restructured and rebranded several of our programmes in 2025. We launched SPA Research, our knowledge-production arm led by the Deputy Executive Director; SPA Podcasts, hosting our flagship programmes Maamul Wanaag and Adeeg Wanaag; and rebranded the Public Agenda Forum as SPA Forums and the SPA Center for Learning and Development as SPA Learning Lab. Directors were appointed for each programme, with the exception of SPA Podcasts, which is managed under our Communications Department. Today, our five programmes—SPA Research, SPA Forums, SPA Podcasts, SPA Policy Lab, and SPA Learning Lab—drive our work, translating our mission, “To advance responsive, evidence-based, and inclusive governance in Somalia through research and analysis, dialogue, co-design of evidence-based policies and services, and capacity development,” into concrete actions.

In 2025, our work influenced policymaking and informed Somali politicians, academics, the international community, and citizens on complex governance issues. The SPA team traveled to, attended, and contributed to forums, conferences, and trainings in Doha, Addis Ababa, Lusaka, Nairobi, Arusha, Djibouti, Mogadishu, Garowe, Dhusamareb, Adado, Bosaso, Kismayo, Qardho, and Baidoa. Our researchers and directors also engaged with the media 15 times, providing interviews, quotes, and appearances with Al Jazeera (English and Arabic), CGTN Africa, BBC Somali, Radio Ergo, The New Humanitarian, Dawan TV, CIVICUS, and Goobjoog TV.

Looking ahead, we are better positioned to advance our mission of promoting responsive, evidence-based, and inclusive governance in Somalia. Given the uncertainties surrounding governance, elections, and security transitions in 2026, our work remains crucial. We extend our gratitude to our donors and partners for trusting us with their support, enabling us to continue contributing to the improvement of governance in Somalia.