A Year of Strategic Engagement and Innovation

The year 2024 was a period of remarkable growth and impactful contributions for Scofield Associates, marked by our unwavering commitment to tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the Horn of Africa. This transformative journey was grounded in our dedication to delivering holistic development solutions, supported by strategic partnerships and an adaptive approach to evolving regional complexities. Building on the successes of 2023, we reinforced our position as a catalyst for change across the region.

A defining feature of 2024 was the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into our operations, revealing its transformative potential in addressing complex development challenges. AI-driven tools were employed to enhance data collection, analysis, and decision-making processes. These technologies enabled us to process vast datasets, providing deeper insights into conflict trends, climate vulnerabilities, and governance inefficiencies. One standout application of AI was in conflict prediction and resolution. By analyzing social media, news reports, and community feedback in real-time, we developed systems that identified potential flash-points before they escalated. This proactive approach allowed stakeholders to deploy targeted peacebuilding interventions, reducing the likelihood of violence. Similarly, AI-supported monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools streamlined project oversight, ensuring that resources were utilized efficiently and outcomes were effectively tracked.

Despite these successes, the slow adoption of AI in the region posed challenges. Recognizing financial constraints and limited technical capacity among stakeholders, Scofield Associates embarked on a comprehensive strategy to promote AI adoption. We worked closely with governments, NGOs, and local communities to demystify AI’s potential, showcasing its practical benefits in sustainable development. Our emphasis on building local capacity ensured that communities were not merely passive recipients of technology but active participants in its implementation.

Scofield Associates: Innovating for Impact, Leading for Change.

As we step into 2025, Scofield Associates finds itself at the nexus of transformative global and regional shifts. The re-election of President Donald Trump in the United States has signaled a re-calibration of American foreign policy, with a sharper focus on bilateral agreements and selective multilateral engagements. Meanwhile, ongoing tensions in Gaza and Ukraine have escalated humanitarian concerns, raising the urgency for international conflict resolution mechanisms. While this constant plays out in the global stage, its impact is spreading to the Horn of Africa with the active conflict in Somalia, the Sudan’s and Mozambique. Russia’s strategic maneuvers, both in Europe and Africa, continue to complicate geopolitical stability, influencing donor priorities and international aid allocations. Meanwhile, the concessions from the Chinese are causing ripples in various countries in the Horn of Africa.

Additionally, the upcoming elections at the African Union (AU) mark a pivotal moment for African governance and policy direction. With a renewed emphasis on pan-African cooperation and sustainability, this election coincide with the adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution 2767 (2024), establishing the African Union Special Security Operations Mechanism (AUSSOM). This mechanism, designed to address  the threat of terrorism in Somalia, underscores the global community’s recognition of Africa’s strategic importance. These developments create an environment ripe for innovation, collaboration, and strategic investment, – areas where Scofield Associates will continue to lead.

Scofield Associates remains steadfast in its mission to harness innovation for sustainable development. We are poised to expand the adoption of AI, deepen our focus on climate resilience, and strengthen governance systems across the Horn of Africa with the use of data for good/development. Our experiences in 2024 have reinforced the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and a people-centered approach in addressing the region’s most urgent challenges. Through continued investments in capacity building, strategic partnerships, and technology-driven solutions, Scofield Associates is committed to driving transformative change that uplifts communities, enhances resilience, and fosters lasting peace. As we pivot into 2025, Scofield Associates will focus on the six strategic thematic areas that align with regional and global priorities:

1. Conflict Resolution and Governance: Scofield Associates recognizes the transformative potential of AUSSOM in addressing the ongoing challenges in Somalia and the broader Horn of Africa. In 2025, we will work closely with governments, civil society organizations, and international partners to support the operationalization and effectiveness of AUSSOM. This engagement will include bidding for capacity-building initiatives to strengthen governance structures, enhance coordination between stakeholders, and empower local communities to actively participate in the peacebuilding efforts. Leveraging our extensive expertise in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), we will support the design and implementation of frameworks to assess the impact and efficiency of AUSSOM operations. By providing actionable insights and evidence-based recommendations, Scofield Associates aims to contribute to the mission’s success in fostering long-term stability in Somalia. Our work will also extend to offering conflict prediction models, where we will harness the power of artificial intelligence to analyze real-time data from diverse sources, including social media, news outlets, and community reports. Recognizing the interconnected nature of challenges in the Horn of Africa, Scofield Associates is committed to expanding its partnerships and engagements with institutions of higher learning across the region in 2025. Building on our successful collaborations with the University of Nairobi, we will expand our relationships in Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Djibouti, Mozambique and the Sudan. These partnerships will not only enhance our research capacity but also ensure that our interventions are rooted in local knowledge and context.
2. Climate Resilience and Food Security: The Horn of Africa continue to face a unique and complex set of challenges arising from the triple nexus of climate change, food insecurity, and conflict. These interwoven crises have created a volatile environment where environmental degradation, lack of resources, and escalating conflicts undermine efforts to foster sustainable development. As climate change continues to intensify, vulnerable communities across the region are increasingly exposed to frequent droughts, erratic rainfall, and shifting agricultural patterns. These disruptions not only threaten food production but also exacerbate existing conflicts over scarce resources, leading to heightened instability. Scofield Associates is committed to tackling these interlinked challenges in 2025, by offering research products on climate resilience, food security, and sustainable development through integrated and cross-sectoral approaches. At the heart of our efforts will be a continued data provision hub for climate-smart agriculture and water governance. We will work alongside regional bodies, including the African Union (AU), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), local governments, and donors to facilitate partnerships that mobilize the necessary resources for large-scale initiatives.
3. Artificial Intelligence and Technological Integration: Artificial Intelligence (AI) will continue to be a cornerstone of Scofield Associates’ strategy, expanding beyond conflict prediction to include transformative applications across development sectors. Leveraging AI’s capabilities, we aim to help governments and development partners in the region enhance their decision-making processes by providing real-time data analysis for better policy development, resource distribution, and crisis response. To achieve these ambitious goals, Scofield Associates is committed to engaging with global technology giants like NVIDIA, Google, Microsoft, and AMD to build strategic partnerships that enhance our AI and big data capabilities. We recognize that these companies are at the forefront of innovative technologies, and their expertise will be instrumental in implementing cutting-edge AI solutions across sectors. Collaborating with these industry leaders will allow us to access advanced tools, cloud infrastructure, and AI software to ensure that our development initiatives are scalable, efficient, and impactful.
4. International Relations and Policy Analysis: The Horn of Africa, a region already marked by complex socio-political dynamics, is increasingly influenced by global shifts in international relations, including changes in US foreign policy, Russia’s growing influence, and other geopolitical developments, including the China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This changing landscape presents an opportunity to provide policy analysis and strategic insights to our development partners. By closely monitoring US foreign policy shifts, we will offer guidance to donors, governments, and NGOs on how best to align their initiatives with new priorities and funding sources. Our deep understanding of local contexts, coupled with global policy trends, will allow us to help these stakeholders navigate the evolving political environment and identify emerging opportunities for collaboration and investment.
5. Community Empowerment and Inclusion: We recognize that sustainable development can only be achieved when all members of a community, regardless of gender, age, or background, have the opportunity to participate fully in the development process. As we move forward in 2025, community empowerment and inclusion will continue to be central to our mission. Our programs and research will be designed with a focus on gender-sensitive approaches and the active engagement of youth, ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable groups are not left behind in the pursuit of development goals. All our engagements will focus on ensuring that persons with disabilities are provided with the tools and resources they need to fully interact with our products. We will also continue to work closely with local leaders to foster inclusive governance practices, where representatives from marginalized groups are actively involved in decision-making and policy formulation. This will contribute to more equitable and just societies, where the voices of all citizens are heard and valued.
6. Expanding the Podcast Discourse in 2025: Scofield Associates will expand and make the “Balanced Perspective” podcast series a reality. This will be an invaluable medium for fostering dialogue and sharing knowledge on a range of pressing regional and global issues. The podcast format will provide an accessible and dynamic way to engage with a diverse audience, offering in-depth discussions that go beyond traditional research publications. The upcoming series will center on thematic areas such as conflict management, prevention of terrorism, counter terrorism, climate change, democracy & governance, artificial intelligence (AI), and conflict resolution—critical topics shaping the future of the Horn of Africa and the broader global landscape. Each episode will feature a carefully selected group of experts, policymakers, and community leaders, who will share their insights and provide a platform for diverse perspectives. Through these conversations, we aim to spark thoughtful debates and raise awareness about important issues impacting communities in the region.

 In a world defined by rapid change and interconnected challenges, Scofield Associates stands ready to lead, adapt, and deliver solutions that empower communities and transform lives. The convergence of global developments and regional challenges in 2025 presents both opportunities and responsibilities. We are committed to driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and promoting sustainability. Together, with our clients, partners, and stakeholders, we can shape a future that is resilient, inclusive, and prosperous. We hope you will journey with us in 2025.