Who We Are
About SONAFO
Somali Nature Foundation (SONAFO) is a Somali non-governmental and non-profitorganization dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian action, and inclusivedevelopment across Somalia.
We work closely with communities, government institutions, development partners,academic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector to deliversustainable, community-driven solutions that improve livelihoods while protectingnatural resources for future generations.
- Organization Name: Somali Nature Foundation
- Established: 2025
- Head Office: MakkaAl-Mukarama Street, Mogadishu, Somalia
- Country of Operation: Somalia
- ExecutiveDirector: Abdirizak Ali Abdullahi
Organizational Background
Our Story
SONAFO was established to address the interconnected environmental, social, andeconomic challenges facing Somalia — including climate change, land degradation,biodiversity loss, water scarcity, food insecurity, poverty, environmental degradation,and vulnerability to disasters.
Rather than treating these challenges in isolation, SONAFO was founded on theunderstanding that a resilient Somalia requires solutions that address environment andlivelihood together. This conviction continues to shape every programme the foundationdelivers, from rangeland restoration to disaster response to youth entrepreneurship.
Why We Exist
Somalia faces some of the world’s most pressing environmental and humanitarianchallenges: recurring drought, deforestation, land degradation, biodiversity loss, waterscarcity, and climate-related disasters that threaten lives and livelihoods. SONAFOexists to help communities adapt, recover, and thrive — restoring the natural systemspeople depend on while building the resilience they need to withstand future shocks.
Vision & Mission
Our Vision
A resilient, prosperous, and environmentally sustainable Somalia where peopleand nature thrive together.
Our Mission
To conserve natural resources, strengthen community resilience, promotesustainable livelihoods, support humanitarian action, and advance inclusivedevelopment through innovative, evidence-based, and community-centeredapproaches.
Core Values
SONAFO’s core values guide its work, decisions,partnerships, and community engagement — ensuring our programmes remaintransparent, community-centered, environmentally responsible, and focused on long-term positive impact across Somalia.
- Sustainability
- Integrity
- Accountability
- Community Empowerment
- Inclusion
- Innovation
- Partnership
- Environmental Stewardship
Strategic Objectives & Organizational Strategy
Our Strategic Objectives
SONAFO’s strategy is built around delivering integrated, evidence-based programmingacross eight strategic sectors environment and climate, agriculture, livestock, blueeconomy, water and WASH, humanitarian action, community empowerment, andresearch/institutional development while embedding cross-cutting commitments togender equality, youth inclusion, disability inclusion, climate resilience, and goodgovernance in every intervention.
Our Organizational Strategy
- Community mobilization and participatory planning
- Evidence-based programme design, monitoring, and learning
- Long-term partnerships with government, UN agencies, and development partners
- Localized, landscape-specific solutions across Somalia’s varied terrain
Organizational Capacity
SONAFO combines technical expertise across environment, agriculture, livestock,fisheries, water, humanitarian response, and institutional development with strong community relationships built through direct, on-the-ground engagement. Our capacityincludes:
Institutional Strengthening
Improving organizational systems, governance,policies, planning, coordination, and operational capacity for partners andcommunities.
Technical Advisory Services
Expert support across environment, agriculture,livestock, water, fisheries, and resilience programming.
Research and Knowledge Management
Studies, assessments, and documentedlearning that inform stronger programme design.
Capacity Development
Training and mentoring for staff, communities, localinstitutions, and civil society partners.
Our Approach
Where We Work
Geographic Areas of Operation
SONAFO’s programmes reach across Somalia’s diverse landscapes and livelihoodsystems:
- Rural Communities
- Urban Communities
- Riverine Areas
- Coastal Communities
- Pastoral Communities
- Agro-pastoral Areas
This broad geographic footprint allows SONAFO to respond to thedistinct challenges and opportunities of each landscape — from drought-pronerangelands to vulnerable coastal fishing villages.
Our Partners
Trusted by Institutions Working for Somalia's Future
Get Started
Let's Build a Resilient Somalia Together
Whether you’re agovernment institution, donor, research partner, or community organization, SONAFOwelcomes collaboration that protects nature and empowers people.
