The Centre for Applied Development, Innovation and Research (CADIR) has been designed as more than a research unit within the University of Bosaso Garowe. It is a place where knowledge is connected to action, where ideas are transformed into practical responses, and where the challenges facing Somalia are studied not just to understand them, but to solve them. In this spirit, CADIR has identified several key thematic areas that will define its work, each aligned with the realities of Somali society and the broader needs of the Horn of Africa.
CADIR places governance and peacebuilding at the core of its mission, recognizing their importance for Somalia’s stability and development. It engages in applied policy research on federalism, decentralization, and state-building, providing evidence and dialogue platforms that strengthen accountability and equitable service delivery. Peacebuilding efforts focus on the climate-conflict nexus and the roles of key actors in resolving disputes. Through civic technology, CADIR promotes transparency, citizen engagement, and e-governance, while advancing digital tools for conflict prevention, early warning, and peace education. This integrated approach fosters inclusive governance, sustainable peace, and resilience in fragile Somali contexts.
Somalia faces acute climate vulnerabilities droughts, floods, and shifting weather patterns that destroy livelihoods and fuel conflict and displacement. CADIR addresses climate change as both an environmental and socio-political challenge. Its work includes land governance, adaptation strategies, and resilience-building mechanisms, while modernizing traditional land-use systems to reduce disputes. CADIR also promotes climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy for off-grid communities, and circular economy models such as recycling and sustainable housing. By integrating tech-driven adaptation and resilience strategies into governance frameworks, CADIR ensures research informs practical solutions that help Somali communities withstand shocks, safeguard resources, and build long-term climate resilience.
CADIR views education as a cornerstone of development and focuses on strengthening Somalia’s higher education, skills, and workforce systems. It addresses key challenges of quality, relevance, and access by promoting higher education reform, vocational training, and lifelong learning. Through research and innovation, CADIR advances e-learning platforms, coding, robotics, and digital literacy programs that prepare youth for the future of work, including remote jobs and the gig economy. By linking academic programs to practical skills, supporting marginalized groups, and fostering EdTech innovations, CADIR builds an educated, skilled, and inclusive generation capable of driving social change and national transformation.
CADIR promotes economic transformation in Somalia by linking research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. While the economy remains largely informal driven by small businesses, pastoralism, and remittances a new wave of youth-driven enterprises and digital innovation is emerging. CADIR acts as a catalyst through research, training, and incubation, supporting young entrepreneurs to turn ideas into viable businesses. Its work addresses challenges of small and medium enterprises, inclusive women-led entrepreneurship, startup ecosystem development, and innovation financing. By fostering business incubation, technology adoption, and livelihood diversification in both urban and rural areas, CADIR contributes to poverty reduction, job creation, and long-term economic stability.
CADIR prioritizes health and social wellbeing as central to Somalia’s sustainable development. Persistent challenges limited healthcare access, malnutrition, fragile systems, and social inequalities require integrated, innovative responses. CADIR advances digital health (telemedicine, AI diagnostics), community health innovations, mental health support, nutrition and WASH monitoring, and tech-enabled social protection for vulnerable groups. It also strengthens health policy and systems through research and financing models. Recognizing health as both a medical and societal concern shaped by culture, economy, and environment, CADIR provides actionable evidence for government, humanitarian, and development partners, bridging immediate needs with long-term resilience and inclusive growth.
CADIR leverages digital innovation to transform governance, education, health, and development in Somalia. It explores ICT for Development (ICT4D) to improve service delivery and strengthen institutions, while promoting adaptation of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Science applications tailored for fragile contexts. CADIR also promotes the use of Blockchain for financial inclusion, land governance, and supply chain transparency, alongside Internet of Things (IoT) solutions for agriculture, water management, and disaster response. By combining cutting-edge technologies with practical research, CADIR fosters locally relevant innovations that address systemic challenges, expand opportunities, and build resilience in Somalia’s dynamic and fragile environment.
CADIR strengthens Somalia’s innovation landscape by shaping policies, financing models, and ecosystems that enable sustainable growth. It explores venture capital, angel investment, and crowdfunding suited to fragile economies, while promoting public-private partnerships to drive technology adoption and business expansion. CADIR also supports the development of policy frameworks that nurture research, startups, and digital transformation, ensuring an enabling environment for entrepreneurs. Additionally, it emphasizes impact measurement of innovation and incubation programs, generating evidence to guide effective investment and policy choices. Through these efforts, CADIR fosters inclusive innovation ecosystems that stimulate entrepreneurship, create jobs, and accelerate socio-economic transformation.