Somalia has significant socio-economic and environmental hurdles in its quest for sustainable development. Aligning academic research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential for tackling these issues. However, the scope of contribution by Somali universities is mostly unexamined. Therefore, this paper delivers the first systematic assessment of the SDG-aligned research conducted by utilizing Scopus-indexed data. It assesses the contributions of Somali universities to the Sustainable Development Goals from 2014 to 2024. Using Elsevier’s SDG Mapping Tool and bibliometric analysis of Scopus data, the study maps the SDG-related research output of Somali universities and identifies present shortcomings and strengths. The findings indicate strong research strengths in SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG3 (Good Health and Well-Being), which displays active academic involvement in collaborative initiatives and health-related research. Significant contributions are noted in SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG2 (Zero Hunger), which illustrates persistent endeavors in economic resilience, climate adaptation, and food security. Nevertheless, considerable research deficiencies persist in SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG14 (Life Below Water), and SDG15 (Life on Land), despite Somalia’s environmental susceptibilities and extensive marine resources. To address these shortcomings, Somali universities must enhance research initiatives, bolster institutional capabilities, and promote interdisciplinary and international cooperation. Essential recommendations encompass concentrating on strategic investments in underrepresented SDGs and fostering cross-sectoral collaborations to synchronize academic outputs with national development plans.
Hassan et al. (Sun,) studied this question.