The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies

What The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies does

The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies is an independent, non-profit think tank and applied research organization founded in 2017 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. It conducts research, policy analysis, and capacity-building across the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region, covering 13+ countries including Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, and the Central African Republic. The institute operates six specialized centres focused on Defense & Security, Governance & Conflict Management, Transnational Crimes, Diplomacy & Foreign Relations, Terrorism & Violent Extremism, and Climate Change, Migration & Development, alongside nine strategic programs such as the Prevention of Terrorism Program, HARPS, HORN Futures, the Western Indian Ocean Program, and the Climate Adaptation & Security Program.

The institute generates revenue through a hybrid model combining tiered membership subscriptions (Bronze and Gold), fee-based advisory services (Political Risk Analysis, Expert Briefing, Monitoring & Evaluation, Crisis and Strategic Communications), and donor/grants support. It distributes research through 1,000+ publications, a weekly newsletter, podcasts, and a multi-platform social media presence, reaching 8,000+ monthly readers across governments, diplomatic missions, NGOs, and academic institutions. Notable institutional partners include the African Union, IGAD, UNHCR, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the European Union, and the Kenya Government. The organization is ranked #18 in Sub-Saharan Africa by the University of Pennsylvania's Global Go To Think Tank Index Report and has a network of 500+ regional experts supporting its research output. Core sub-brands include HORN Academy (training), HORN Strategic Insights (premium intelligence product), HORN Futures (futures program), and HORN Borderlands & Peacebuilding Program.

Name

The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies

Legal name

The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies

Website

https://horninstitute.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies is an independent, non-profit think tank founded in 2017 in Nairobi, Kenya, providing policy analysis, security research, and advisory services to governments, diplomatic missions, and international organizations across 13+ countries in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Strategic Policy Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), International Affairs (928120)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAFAO

Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Civil Rights, Advocacy & Public Policy Organizations

SECONDARYBPADAFAG

Counterterrorism & Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) Cooperation

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Peacekeeping, Conflict Resolution & Security Cooperation

SECONDARYBPADAFAK

Early Warning, Conflict Analysis & Prevention Programs

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Peacekeeping, Conflict Resolution & Security Cooperation

SECONDARYBPAIAHAD

Intelligence (Strategic, Tactical & Technical)

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Defense & National Security

SECONDARYEDADADAA

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Policy, Research & Think Tanks

Keywords

• Strategic policy research
• Political risk analysis
• Conflict prevention advisory
• Regional security studies
• Peacebuilding research

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Advisory Services Revenue: The institute generates revenue through providing evidence-based advisory services including political risk analysis, expert briefings, monitoring and evaluation, and crisis and strategic communications to governments, institutions, and diplomatic missions.
2. Membership Programs: The institute offers membership tiers (Bronze, Gold) that provide access to strategic intelligence briefings, publications, and analyst services, creating recurring subscription revenue.
3. Donations and Support: The institute relies on partner support and donations to sustain its independent mission, as stated in their 'Support Our Work' initiative.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies is an independent, non-profit think tank that produces evidence-based research, advisory services, and training focused on political, security, economic, and environmental dynamics in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region. It sells political risk analysis, expert briefings, monitoring & evaluation, and crisis communications services to governments, diplomatic missions, and development partners, supplemented by subscription membership, premium intelligence products, periodic publications, and policy research programs.

Product overview

The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies is an independent think tank providing a portfolio of advisory services, intelligence products, research programs, and publications focused on the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region. The core service offerings include Political Risk Analysis, Expert Briefing, Monitoring & Evaluation, Crisis and Strategic Communications, and HORN Strategic Insights (a premium intelligence product delivering actionable updates on emerging trends). The institute also offers Regional Security Analysis for conflict and security dynamics. Supporting these services are research programs including the Prevention of Terrorism Program, Horn of Africa Regional Peace & Security Program (HARPS), HORN Futures, Defense & Security Program, HORN Borderlands & Peacebuilding Program, Climate Adaptation & Security Program, Democracy Governance and Rule of Law Program, INFORM Initiative, and Western Indian Ocean Program. The HORN Academy provides training through masterclasses, while the HORN Bulletin offers periodic publications including analysis, policy briefs, reports, special papers and books. A tiered membership program provides access to intelligence products and expert briefings. The organization operates six specialized centres covering Defence & Security, Diplomacy & Foreign Relations, Governance & Conflict Management, Terrorism & Extremism, Transnational Crimes, and Climate & Migration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HORN Academy: Training and educational programs offered by the institute
• HORN Strategic Insights
• HORN Futures
• HORN Borderlands & Peacebuilding Program

Products and services

• Political Risk Analysis Integrated political, security, and economic risk assessments for governments, institutions, and diplomatic missions operating in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes regions.
• Expert Briefing Authoritative expert-led briefings on critical political, security, and regional issues affecting the Horn of Africa, tailored to the needs of institutions and governments.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Assessment services that help organizations evaluate program effectiveness, measure impact, strengthen accountability, and inform decision-making in peacebuilding and development programs.
• Crisis and Strategic Communications Strategic communications services helping governments, institutions, diplomatic missions, and individuals navigate complex global developments with concise and precise insights during fast-moving events.
• HORN Strategic Insights Premium research-based intelligence product delivering concise, actionable updates on emerging trends and fast-moving events across the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region, covering political developments, conflict incidents, economic shifts, and diplomatic dynamics.
• Regional Security Analysis (RSA) Strategic analysis of conflict dynamics, security threats, and geopolitical developments shaping stability across the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region, covering conflict patterns, armed groups, regional cooperation, maritime security, and geopolitical competition.
• HORN Academy Training and capacity-building programs including masterclasses for policymakers, practitioners, and analysts on strategic studies, policy, and regional security.
• Membership Program Tiered membership program (Bronze, Gold) providing institutional clients with access to intelligence products, expert briefings, and exclusive content on annual billing.
• HORN Bulletin and Publications Periodic publication covering analysis, policy briefs, reports, special papers, and books on regional political, security, and development developments in the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.
• Prevention of Terrorism Program Multi-year research program on trends of radicalization, recruitment, violent extremism, and terrorism, including D-PRIVE, Deep and Extreme Dialogues, Disruption of Extremists' Narratives, and CVE capacity building.
• Horn of Africa Regional Peace & Security Program (HARPS) Regional research program addressing conflict dynamics and peace and security policy across the Horn of Africa.
• HORN Futures Strategic foresight program focused on analyzing, influencing, and shaping the long-term political, security, and developmental trajectory of the Horn of Africa.
• Defense & Security Program Multi-disciplinary research program on defence and security challenges including Red Sea geopolitics, military modernisation, private military companies, and early warning systems.
• HORN Borderlands & Peacebuilding Program Research and program-based initiative addressing borderland dynamics and peacebuilding activities across the Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.
• Climate Adaptation & Security Program Research program analyzing climate-security linkages, climate finance pathways, and adaptation strategies for the Horn of Africa.
• Democracy, Governance and Rule of Law Program Research program examining governance systems, peacebuilding processes, electoral politics, and state institutions across the region.
• INFORM Initiative Initiative supporting community-level approaches to countering and preventing violent extremism at the grassroots in the Horn of Africa.
• Western Indian Ocean Program Research program focused on maritime security and strategic geopolitical developments in the Western Indian Ocean region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8,000+ monthly readers across governments, diplomats, and practitioners
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Tony Blair Institute for Global ChangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in the Prevention of Terrorism Program, specifically the Supporting Leaders Project, where both institutions work together to build the capacity of religious and community leaders in vulnerable areas of Kenya in peacebuilding, conflict management, and P/CVE approaches.
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on refugee research and analysis, particularly regarding Kakuma refugee camp and broader forced migration dynamics in the Horn of Africa. The institute conducts research that complements UNHCR's operational work.
• Kenya GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint management of refugee affairs and Kakuma camp operations. Collaboration on policy development including the Kenya Refugee Act 2022, which addresses refugee economic inclusion and rights.
• IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch and analysis supporting IGAD's mandate in peace and security, climate resilience, and regional integration across the Greater Horn of Africa. The institute conducts studies that inform IGAD's policy work.
• African UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport for continental peace and security frameworks, including research on regional security cooperation, counterterrorism, and governance issues affecting AU mandate areas.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Chatham House (Royal Institute of International Affairs): Premier global foreign policy think tank headquartered in London with broad research and convening capacity on international affairs, including Africa. Comparable to HORN as an established independent policy research and advisory institution serving governments and diplomats.
• Tony Blair Institute for Global Change: Global policy institute advising governments on strategy, governance, and counter-extremism, with existing partnerships with HORN on P/CVE programs in Kenya. Comparable as a high-profile advisory and policy delivery organisation operating internationally with government clients.
• International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS): London-based global think tank producing authoritative analysis on defence, security, and geopolitics, including Africa coverage. Highly comparable to HORN in mandate (strategic studies, security analysis, intelligence briefings, membership-based access), but with a global remit and significantly larger scale.
• Brookings Institution: One of the largest US-based think tanks covering foreign policy, governance, and development with active Africa programs. Comparable to HORN as an established independent policy research and convening institution serving governments, donors, and academic audiences worldwide.
• Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS): Major US-based bipartisan policy research organisation with extensive work on international security, defence, and African affairs. Comparable to HORN in policy research, intelligence products, convening, and government advisory services, though operating at a much larger scale and global scope.

Direct peers

• International Crisis Group: Global conflict-prevention organisation producing in-depth analysis and policy advice on deadly conflicts, including significant coverage of the Horn of Africa. Closely comparable to HORN's conflict analysis, political risk, and advisory services to governments and international institutions.
• Rift Valley Institute: Research and training organisation focused on the Horn of Africa and East Africa, producing applied research on conflict, migration, and governance. Highly comparable given its regional focus, applied research output, and training programs serving similar clients.
• Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa): Africa's leading security-focused think tank with offices across the continent. Directly comparable to HORN given its mandate to deliver policy-relevant analysis on peace, security, and governance, serving governments, multilateral bodies, and researchers.

Emerging players

• African Centre for Strategic Transformation (ACST): African policy and research organisation focused on governance, security, and strategic transformation across the continent. Comparable as an emerging African think tank providing advisory and research services to governments and regional bodies, though with a broader pan-African rather than Horn-specific remit.

Regional players

• South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA): Leading African foreign policy think tank based in South Africa, producing research, training, and convening on African international affairs. Comparable to HORN as an African policy research institute with membership programs, publications, and advisory work for governments and diplomatic audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights2 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Horninstitute
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@horninstitute2968
• Facebookfacebook.com/HISS2017
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/horn-institute-for-strategic-studies
• Instagraminstagram.com/horninstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The HORN International Institute for Strategic Studies