Driving change through
creativity, communication and innovation.
SAMO is a Hybrid Impact Agency working with government institutions, NGOs, development partners and businesses.
Somalia, through the lens.
A growing visual archive documenting the people, places, culture and stories of Somalia. Photographers keep the rights to their work, and every image can be licensed with their approval.
- 32
- Photographs
- 18
- Regions
- 3
- Photographers
Who we are
We work with government institutions, NGOs, development partners and businesses on communication strategy, media production, digital tools and community engagement. One team takes each brief from research to delivery.
More about usFour work areas
Each project uses the services the brief needs, delivered by one team.
Insight. Idea. Impact.
Every project moves through three stages, from listening to the people it is for to measuring what changed.
Insight
Listen. Learn. Understand.We start with research: the audience, the context and the change the project needs to achieve.
Idea
Think bold. Create smart.We turn what we learn into a strategy, a campaign or a production plan that fits the audience and the channel.
Impact
Measure. Evolve. Amplify.We deliver, track the results, adjust where needed and report what changed.
Clients and partners
Government institutions, NGOs, development partners and businesses we have worked with.
What our clients say
Words from the institutions and organisations we have worked with.
Start a project with SAMO
Tell us what you need, where and when, and we will come back to you with a plan.
SAMO is a Hybrid Impact Agency. We work with government ministries, local and international NGOs, sports bodies and businesses. We produce documentaries, live broadcasts and campaigns, and we organise community dialogues and public events.
What sets SAMO apart
One team, end to end
Strategy, production, digital and community engagement under one roof, so nothing is lost between teams.
Three languages
Content in Somali, English and Arabic, with translation and subtitling.
Donor ready standards
Safeguarding, consent and editorial policies that meet the expectations of institutional partners.
Communication that changes what people know and do.
Institutions and communities that understand each other, with information that reaches people in a form they trust and can act on.
Creative strategy, storytelling and digital solutions.
To help institutions, NGOs and businesses reach the people they serve, and to show the results of their work.
Our values
Five values guide how we work with clients, partners and the communities we serve.
The people behind the work
Select a team member to view their profile or connect on LinkedIn.
Work with our team
Tell us about your project and we will put the right people on it.
Four disciplines, one team
Most organisations hire a strategist, a production house and a digital agency separately. At SAMO the four work side by side from the first meeting.
Strategy
Every project starts with a clear objective, a defined audience and the message that will reach them. Strategy keeps the creative work focused on results.
Creativity
We develop ideas, scripts and visual concepts that are original and grounded in Somali culture, so people recognise themselves in the work.
Technology
Live streaming systems, digital platforms and practical AI tools help us produce faster, reach further and measure what happens.
Storytelling
Film, photography and the spoken word carry the message. We tell stories through the people they are about, in their own language.
Insight. Idea. Impact. In detail.
Insight
Listen. Learn. Understand.
What we do
- Stakeholder and audience consultations
- Review of existing materials and data
- Context and risk assessment
What you receive
A creative brief with objectives, audience, key messages and deliverables.
Idea
Think bold. Create smart.
What we do
- Concepts, scripts and storyboards
- Campaign and content plans
- Production with our own crew, editors and designers
What you receive
Approved concepts and finished content, ready for release.
Impact
Measure. Evolve. Amplify.
What we do
- Publishing, broadcast and event delivery
- Audience analytics and feedback surveys
- Review and refinement
What you receive
A reach and results report you can share with stakeholders and donors.
Principles we work by
Community first
We listen to the people a project is for before we create anything for them.
Culturally grounded
Content in Somali, English and Arabic, shaped by local context, values and language.
Evidence based
Decisions rest on research, audience data and feedback, not assumptions.
Ethical by default
Informed consent, safeguarding and editorial independence on every project.
Ready to start with insight?
Tell us what you want to change and we will plan the first step with you.
Built on long term relationships
We partner with government institutions, development partners, NGOs and the private sector. Some are clients, others are collaborators on programmes and events we have covered. Together they reflect more than 50 organisations we have served.
Media partner
Partner with SAMO
Planning a programme, campaign or event? Let's talk about how we can work together.
What we deliver
Sectors we work in
Our setup
- Field productionGimbal stabilised camera rigs and audio kits for documentaries, interviews and event coverage.
- Live broadcastingMulti camera live streams with live graphics and scoreboards, streamed to several pages at once.
- Post productionIn house editing, motion graphics, design and subtitling.
- LanguagesSomali, English and Arabic, with translation and subtitling.
- TeamA core team covering leadership, operations, media production and programmes.
Policies and standards
Our policies apply to every project and every client.
Need our capability statement?
Contact us for our policies, references and samples of past work.
Our services
Communication strategy, media production, digital tools and community engagement, delivered by one team.
Four work areas
Select a work area to see the services it includes.
Consultancy & Strategy
Insight. Clarity. Direction.
Clear strategy is where effective communication starts. We help organisations define what they want to achieve, who they need to reach and what to say, then turn that into plans their teams can deliver.
Explore work area 02Creative & Media Lab
Stories that shape perception.
Our in house production team plans, films, edits and designs every piece we deliver, from documentaries and photo stories to live broadcasts and publications.
Explore work area 03Digital Innovation
Technology with a human touch.
We help organisations reach and understand their audiences online, with social media management, digital campaigns, websites and practical tools that save time.
Explore work area 04Impact & Capacity Building
Empowering people to create change.
We bring people together and build their skills. Through community mobilisation, public events and training, we help communities, youth and institutions take part in the change that affects them.
Explore work areaNot sure where to start?
Share your objective and timeline. We will recommend the services that fit.
Clear strategy is where effective communication starts. We help organisations define what they want to achieve, who they need to reach and what to say, then turn that into plans their teams can deliver.
What we deliver
Communication Strategy & Planning
Communication plans, key messages and audience analysis for organisations and institutions
Social & Behaviour Change Campaigns
Campaigns that shift attitudes and practices on health, gender, livelihoods and civic issues
Donor Visibility & Branding Compliance
Correct use of EU, UN and donor branding across all project materials
Other work areas
Discuss your project
Tell us your objective and timeline and we will recommend the right approach.
Our in house production team plans, films, edits and designs every piece we deliver, from documentaries and photo stories to live broadcasts and publications.
What we deliver
Documentary & Video Production
Documentaries and short films from research and script to final edit
Photography & Impact Storytelling
Photo stories and case studies that show project results through the people they reach
Live Broadcasting & Event Coverage
Multi camera live streaming and coverage of forums, launches and public events
Radio, TV & Podcast Programmes
Talk shows, interviews, public service announcements and podcast series
Other work areas
Discuss your project
Tell us your objective and timeline and we will recommend the right approach.
We help organisations reach and understand their audiences online, with social media management, digital campaigns, websites and practical tools that save time.
What we deliver
Social Media Management
Content planning, publishing and page management
Digital Campaigns & Analytics
Paid and organic campaigns with reach and engagement reporting
Web Design & Development
Websites for organisations, projects and businesses
Other work areas
Discuss your project
Tell us your objective and timeline and we will recommend the right approach.
We bring people together and build their skills. Through community mobilisation, public events and training, we help communities, youth and institutions take part in the change that affects them.
What we deliver
Community Mobilisation & Engagement
Bringing women, youth and communities together for dialogues and consultations
Event Management
Planning and running forums, fairs and public events, from venue to coverage
Media Training & Mentorship
Media skills for young people, and media and spokesperson training for officials and staff
Other work areas
Discuss your project
Tell us your objective and timeline and we will recommend the right approach.
Our portfolio
Documentaries, live broadcasts, campaigns and event coverage for institutions, NGOs and communities.
Our work by sector
Projects delivered with government, international partners and NGOs across six sectors. Select a project to see the full story, photos and video.
Selected from the archive
New in the archive
Twelve ways into the collection
Eighteen regions, one archive
Photographs are organised by region, city and place, from Lower Juba to Awdal. A location is listed with photographs only once real photographs from it have been published.
All locationsThe SAMO Archive preserves professional photographs of Somalia: its land and coast, its people and communities, its culture, cities and everyday life. Photographers keep the rights to their work. Media, NGOs, researchers and institutions can find the images they need and ask permission to use them.
Read about the archive and its usage policyHave photographs that deserve to be preserved and seen?
Become a ContributorPhotographs
No photographs match these filters.
Collections
Curated groups of photographs around a subject, place or story.
Locations
Somalia, by region, city and place.
Photographers
The contributors whose work is published in the archive. Each keeps the copyright of their photographs.
Documenting Somalia. Preserving visual heritage. Connecting photography with the world.
The SAMO Archive is a growing visual record of Somalia. It collects professional photographs of landscapes, people, culture, heritage, cities and everyday life, and keeps them searchable, credited and protected.
The archive is open to SAMO photographers, independent photographers, journalists, organisations and members of the public. Contributors keep the copyright of their work. SAMO operates the archive and maintains its editorial standards.
Ownership
The photographer or verified rights holder owns every photograph they submit. By contributing, they give SAMO a limited, non-exclusive permission to store the photograph, create previews, display it on the SAMO website, include it in archive search and promote the archive through SAMO's official channels. This permission does not allow SAMO to sell or license a photograph on the owner's behalf.
No photograph may be used without approval
Viewing a photograph here does not give anyone the right to use it. These rules apply to every visitor, client and partner.
Written approval comes first
A photograph may only be published, printed, broadcast or shared after the rights holder has approved a licensing request in writing.
A licence covers one agreed use
Approval applies to the purpose, media, territory and period stated in the request. Any new use needs a new request.
Credit every use
Each published use must carry the credit line agreed in the licence, for example "Photographer name / SAMO Archive".
Keep the image truthful
Photographs may not be altered, combined or captioned in a way that changes what they show or misrepresents the people and places in them.
Respect the people photographed
Images of people, and of children in particular, may not be used in ways that expose, stigmatise or endanger them, or that suggest they endorse a product, party or cause.
No resale, no AI training
Licensed images may not be resold, sublicensed, added to other image libraries or used to train artificial intelligence systems.
Previews are not licences
Screenshots or copies of website previews are not permitted. Credits and watermarks may not be removed.
Misuse is followed up
Unauthorised use leads to a removal request and may lead to a fee or legal action by the rights holder. Rights holders can also ask for a photograph to be corrected, restricted or removed. Write to info@samocomms.com.
Related photographs
All photographsJoin the photographers, organisations and researchers building a lasting visual record of Somalia.
Contributor accounts open soon. Nothing you typed here has been saved. To submit your work today, write to info@samocomms.com.
All publications
Receive new publications
Contact us to be added to our mailing list for new reports and briefs.
Key services delivered
Recent work on this project
Watch
Photos
Contact SAMO
Tell us about your project. We work with institutions, NGOs and businesses on media, communication and community engagement.
- General enquiries
- info@samocomms.com
- Partnerships & proposals
- partnership@samocomms.com
- Offices
- HQ Kismayo, Kaah Building
Mogadishu - Social media
- @samocomms
