Economic Development Research and Advisory
Evidence for Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth
Somali Researchers Association (SRA) provides research, evaluation, market analysis and policy-advisory services to organisations working to strengthen Somalia’s economy.
We support government institutions, development partners, financial institutions, businesses and civil society organisations to understand economic conditions, assess markets, evaluate development programmes and make decisions based on reliable evidence.
Our work considers Somalia’s economic realities, including informality, unemployment, access to finance, high operating costs, dependence on imports, limited infrastructure and regional differences in markets and livelihoods.
Our Economic Research Areas
SRA can support research and assessments in areas including:
- Macroeconomic conditions and economic growth
- Employment, unemployment and labour markets
- Youth livelihoods and economic participation
- Poverty, household income and cost of living
- Private-sector and small-business development
- Market systems and business-environment assessments
- Financial inclusion and access to finance
- Banking, insurance and digital financial services
- Trade, exports and regional economic integration
- Agriculture, livestock and fisheries
- Energy access, affordability and economic productivity
- Value chains and market opportunities
- Entrepreneurship and enterprise development
- Public finance and service-delivery costs
- Social protection and economic resilience
- Climate change and its economic effects
How We Support Economic Development Programmes
Economic and Market Research
SRA conducts research on prices, consumer behaviour, market demand, business performance and economic conditions. This helps clients understand how markets operate and identify opportunities, constraints and emerging trends.
Private-Sector Assessments
We assess the needs and experiences of businesses, entrepreneurs and investors. Studies may examine operating costs, access to finance, taxation, infrastructure, regulation, workforce capacity and barriers to business growth.
Livelihoods and Employment Research
SRA studies employment, household livelihoods, income sources, workforce skills and economic participation. Particular attention can be given to young people, women, displaced communities and other groups facing economic exclusion.
Programme Monitoring and Evaluation
We support baseline studies, mid-term reviews, final evaluations and third-party monitoring of economic-development, livelihoods, financial-inclusion and private-sector programmes.
Trade and Value-Chain Analysis
SRA can examine how products and services move from producers to consumers. This may include analysis of production, processing, transport, market access, pricing, quality standards, export requirements and relationships between value-chain actors.
Economic Policy Research
We provide evidence to support the development and review of economic policies, strategies and regulatory frameworks. Our analysis considers policy options, institutional responsibilities, implementation requirements and possible effects on different population groups.
Our Methods
Depending on the assignment, SRA may use:
- Household and enterprise surveys
- Consumer and market-price surveys
- Business and financial-institution interviews
- Key informant interviews
- Focus group discussions
- Value-chain and market-system analysis
- Labour-market and skills assessments
- Document and administrative-data reviews
- Statistical and econometric analysis
- GIS and geographic market mapping
- Stakeholder consultations and validation workshops
SRA clearly documents the sources, methods and limitations of its economic research so that findings can be interpreted and used responsibly.
Typical Deliverables
Our economic-development assignments may produce:
- Economic and market-assessment reports
- Baseline, mid-term and final evaluation reports
- Feasibility and opportunity assessments
- Labour-market and livelihoods studies
- Private-sector and business-environment assessments
- Value-chain analyses
- Market-price and affordability reports
- Cleaned and validated datasets
- Economic dashboards and visual summaries
- Policy briefs and advisory reports
- Practical programme and policy recommendations
Local Knowledge and Nationwide Reach
SRA combines economic research expertise with a nationwide field network. Our locally recruited researchers and enumerators understand local markets, livelihoods, business practices and economic conditions in different parts of Somalia.
This enables us to collect evidence from households, businesses, markets, financial institutions and communities in urban, rural and hard-to-reach locations.
Work With SRA
Whether you need a market assessment, enterprise survey, livelihoods study, programme evaluation, value-chain analysis or economic policy review, SRA can provide practical and context-sensitive research support.
Contact SRA to discuss your economic development research and advisory requirements.