About This Blog

This blog is where I think through ideas that don't fit neatly into professional work or academic papers. It's a space for reflection on politics, society, technology, and systems—topics that matter but rarely get the nuanced treatment they deserve.

What You'll Find Here

Essays on politics in the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia and the broader region. I write about governance, democracy, and the complex dynamics that shape East African politics.

Reflections on social systems—how societies function, what drives change, and why certain patterns persist across cultures and time periods. From European secularism to Somali clan dynamics, I'm interested in the underlying structures that shape collective behavior.

Analysis of technology and systems thinking—how we can apply systematic approaches to complex problems, and how cognitive biases affect our decision-making. These essays bridge technical thinking and social reality.

Occasional pieces on entrepreneurship, leadership, and organization—lessons from business school, observations about how organizations work (or don't), and reflections on what makes ventures succeed or fail.

Who I Am

I'm AJ (or Jama)—a data and AI consultant based between the Horn of Africa and wherever work takes me. I hold an MBA and am currently pursuing doctoral research in AI for Development. My professional work focuses on helping organizations leverage data and AI effectively, while my passion projects aim to build capacity in East Africa through education, research, and infrastructure.

I started writing publicly because I kept having conversations that felt important but ephemeral. Writing forces precision. Publishing forces accountability. The feedback loop helps refine thinking.

Why These Topics?

The Horn of Africa gets inadequate attention in global discourse, yet the region faces fascinating challenges at the intersection of governance, development, technology, and geopolitics. I write about Somalia because it's home and because its problems and possibilities offer broader lessons.

I write about systems and cognition because understanding how we think—individually and collectively—matters for solving hard problems. Too much analysis focuses on surface symptoms while ignoring underlying patterns.

I write about European politics and society because I've lived there, and because the gap between Europe's self-image and reality offers useful perspective on how all societies construct narratives about themselves.

What This Blog Is Not

This isn't journalism. I don't chase news cycles or aim for breaking coverage. Instead, I try to provide context and analysis that remains relevant beyond immediate headlines.

This isn't academic writing. I cite sources when relevant but prioritize clarity over citations. The goal is accessible insight, not scholarly thoroughness.

This isn't activism. I have views and values, but the aim is analysis rather than advocacy. I'd rather help readers think through complex issues than tell them what to believe.

Get In Touch

I'm always open to feedback, corrections, and conversations. If something here resonates, challenges your thinking, or seems wrong, I want to hear about it.

You can reach me via email or connect on LinkedIn. For my professional work, see djama.ajrabi.com. For my passion projects, check the main site at ajrabi.com.

Thanks for reading. I hope you find something here worth your time.