The Asal Way

Building genuine and equitable partnerships.

Harnessing local knowledge & talent

Neutral convening power.

Deep networks across the region based on trust.

Deliberate in our services and partnerships.

Think differently and challenge the status quo.

Building genuine and equitable partnerships

We build genuine and equitable partnerships focused on the long-term added value of good partnerships and collaboration. We are committed to advancing localisation objectives through capacity sharing and established ways of working whilst leveraging international, national, and local capacities and experiences.

Harnessing local knowledge & talent

We harness local knowledge and the best of local talent and expertise to assist with devising strategies and processes to better manage people and manage change of which there is an abundance. By leveraging the best of African ingenuity, we bring value to the region and our clients.

Neutral convening power

We are regarded as independent actors committed to integrity and act as trusted conveners. Our nonpartisan nature gives us access to a wide range of stakeholders that we can draw on to inform our programming.

Deep networks across the region based on trust

Hand in hand with this, we have spent a long time nurturing deep networks across the region that are based on trust and a shared commitment to the advancement and betterment of the communities we work in by leading change and building strong foundations for sustainable and transformative growth.

Deliberate in our services and partnerships

We are deliberate in our service and only deliver interventions that have the support and buy-in of local actors because we believe our impact (positive and negative) extends beyond our organization. For Asal, leading change is premised on strengthening a sense of collective ownership and responsibility towards societal advancement.

Think differently and challenge the status quo

We are also well known for doing things differently, disrupting the usual ways of working in the sector to improve outcomes for local communities. We challenge conventional norms whilst exercising creative kindness and alternative approaches to tackling complex (and often socially, politically, and conflict-sensitive) issues.

Our Approaches

Our approaches serve as navigational principles, ensuring Asal’s initiatives remain contextually attuned, politically savvy, and resolutely inclusive. Our key four strategic approaches are Thinking and Working Politically, building Inclusive Societies, faith-based programming, and Digital Transformation with practical guides to enable Asal to achieve transformative change. Our management approaches are based on the principles of Problem Driven Iterative Adaption (PDIA), which very simply means that we’re adaptive to a highly changeable context in the region and test different approaches before fully scaling up.

To deliver successful transformation in one of the most extreme environments in today's world, we take a one-building block approach at a time to allow adjustment of strategies, management of the change process, and achieving transformations. Asal remains attuned to its clients’ precise technical needs while developing locally relevant and adaptable interventions through a simple and agile 3-step methodology.

Inclusive Societies

Inclusion is woven into the very fabric of Asal's approach. It is a foundational principle that guides every facet of our work. Asal ensures that the voices, needs, and aspirations of marginalised and under represented communities are at the forefront of our initiatives. This approach extends beyond tokenism, actively involving these communities in decision-making, co-creation, and implementation. We view inclusivity as the cornerstone of sustainable and equitable development in the Horn of Africa, and it drives our relentless commitment to positive change in the region.

Thinking and Working Politically

Asal adopts a dual approach to Thinking and Working Politically (TWP). First, as a core strategic approach across all Asal projects, our experts anchor programming, and engagements in a contextual understanding of TWP, which is further strengthened by frequent and in-house Political Economy Analysis (PEAs). TWP allows Asal to achieve optimal results by placing politics –and shifting political consideration—at the heart of development programming.

Second, Asal’s innovation and thought leadership is aimed contextualising and advancing the ways in which TWP is applied in the sector. We do this developing appropriate systems and by convening a community of practice that brings together Somali policymakers and practitioners with their international counterparts. The result is a vibrant platform to exchange learning, experiences and best practice in the development space.

Faith-Informed Programming & Advocacy

Complementing Asal’s innovative efforts on inclusive societies and TWP is a faith-based framework that can be adapted and utilised for programming and advocacy. Asal’s research clearly demonstrates the relevance of religion and need for constructive and sustained engagements with religious duty-bearers (including women) and institutions. Whether it is for security and justice programming, climate adaptation and resilience or gender and social inclusion work, Asal’s faith-based models are versatile and highly resonant.

Digital Transformation

In today's rapidly evolving world, digital transformation is not an option but a necessity. Asal is committed to leveraging the power of technology to drive progress in the Horn of Africa. Our approach to digital transformation is characterised by innovation, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the unique challenges in the region. We harness the potential of digital solutions to improve governance, enhance access to vital services, and catalyze economic growth.

Inclusive Societies

Thinking and Working Politically

Asal adopts a dual approach to Thinking and Working Politically (TWP). First, as a core strategic approach across all Asal projects, our experts anchor programming, and engagements in a contextual understanding of TWP, which is further strengthened by frequent and in-house Political Economy Analysis (PEAs). TWP allows Asal to achieve optimal results by placing politics –and shifting political consideration—at the heart of development programming. Second, Asal’s innovation and thought leadership is aimed contextualising and advancing the ways in which TWP is applied in the sector. We do this developing appropriate systems and by convening a community of practice that brings together Somali policymakers and practitioners with their international counterparts. The result is a vibrant platform to exchange learning, experiences and best practice in the development space.

Faith-Informed Programming & Advocacy

Digital Transformation