Abdullahi Abdille Shahow is a Research Fellow at the HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies, where he conducts qualitative and quantitative research across multiple projects, drawing on academic, policy, and field-based sources to support the Institute’s research agenda.

His research interests include conflict and political dynamics across the Horn of Africa, civilian protection, governance, state-building, and peace and security.

Abdullahi has over a decade of professional experience in research, conflict analysis, political and policy analysis, security, governance, migration, and development, with a particular focus on Kenya and Somalia and broader experience across the Horn of Africa. He has worked with and consulted for several organisations, including the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), where he worked from 2023 to 2025, and the International Crisis Group (ICG), where he worked from 2013 to 2019. His other professional engagements include work with Sayara International, Transparency International Kenya, and Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, among others.

His work has been published in African Arguments, HORN Bulletin, The New Humanitarian, Just Security, World Politics Review, The Elephant, and Think Africa Press, among other outlets. He has also regularly provided expert commentary to local and international media outlets, including Daily Nation, BBC World Service, Radio France Internationale (RFI), CGTN, and Al Jazeera. Abdullahi holds a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in African Studies from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from United States International University-Africa.