Research, Innovation & Outreach Center
From Ideas to Opportunities
RIO Center transforms ideas into research, innovation, professional skills, businesses, and practical solutions that improve communities.
Research. Innovate. Learn. Transform.
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- People trained
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- Research studies supported
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- Startups supported
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About RIO Center
A center where knowledge meets practice
RIO Center is a multidisciplinary center of Jobkey University Somalia, established to connect research, innovation, professional training, entrepreneurship, technology, and community service.
We create an enabling environment where students, lecturers, researchers, young people, entrepreneurs, government institutions, civil society organizations, and private-sector companies develop practical ideas and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing Somali society.
R — Research
High-quality research that improves understanding of social, economic, educational, technological, health, and institutional challenges.
I — Innovation
New ideas, technologies, products, services, systems, business models, and approaches that address institutional and community needs.
O — Outreach
Extending knowledge, research, training, and development services to communities, institutions, young people, and underserved groups.
Direction
Vision & Mission
Our Vision
To become a leading center for research, innovation, entrepreneurship, professional skills development, and social transformation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
Our Mission
To transform ideas into opportunities through research, innovation, practical training, strategic partnerships, entrepreneurship, and community development programs.
What we do
Five pillars, one institution
Research, innovation, training, outreach, and partnerships brought together under one center.
Training
Professional training that changes what you can do
Short courses and executive programs built around practical exercises, case studies, and real-world application.
Workshops
Upcoming workshops
Focused, practical sessions — most of them a single day.
Research
Research for sustainable development
We conduct research in the areas that matter most to Somalia's development.
Education
Quality, access, digital learning, teacher development, and AI in education.
Health
Public health, maternal and child health, nutrition, and hospital service quality.
Economy & Business
Youth employment, SMEs, Islamic finance, financial inclusion, and the digital economy.
Technology
Artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity, and digital public services.
Governance
Public administration, institutional performance, local governance, and accountability.
Social Development
Youth, women's empowerment, migration, social protection, and disability inclusion.
Environment & Agriculture
Climate change, food security, water management, and climate-smart agriculture.
Knowledge products
Latest publications
Research reports, policy briefs, working papers, and toolkits from the RIO repository.
Measured impact
We track how our programs improve institutions and communities.
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People trained
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Research studies supported
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Startups supported
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Institutional partners
Success stories
From ideas to opportunities
What happens after someone walks through our door.
Events
What's coming up
Conferences, dialogues, demo days, and community activities.
Testimonials
What participants say
“The Research Clinic did not just check my work — it found the structural problem I had been unable to see for eight months. I defended with distinction.”
“RIO Center's consultancy team understood our institutional reality rather than importing a template. The strategic plan they helped us build is one we actually use.”
“Ten days changed how I approach problems. I no longer start by building — I start by finding out whether the problem is real.”
“I have taken M&E training three times before. This was the first that made me build a framework for my own programme rather than watch someone else's example.”
“I doubled my customers in four months using nothing but the phone I already owned.”
“The academic writing course got my first paper past peer review. I had been rejected twice before without understanding why.”
Partners
Working together
We welcome collaboration at local, national, regional, and international levels.
Do you have an idea?
Your idea could become the solution your community needs. Share it with RIO Center.
Contact
Talk to us
Tarbunka Street, Hodan District, Mogadishu — Saturday to Thursday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Visit us
Tarbunka Street, Hodan District
Mogadishu, Somalia
Call us
Email us
Office hours
Saturday to Thursday · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM