The Horn of Africa consists mainly of Somalia and Djibouti, though it also includes the Ogaden Depression in eastern Ethiopia.
With infrequent rainfall, little more than thorn bushes grow. The people are herders of camels, goats, and sheep. In rural areas, many live a nomadic lifestyle. Famine is a constant threat, with livestock dying and people forced to flee to Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps as their only means of survival.
Strong family ties to the clan remain a defining feature of society. Even those living in cities maintain close connections with their clan in rural areas.
The majority of people are Muslims, with the call to prayer echoing from mosques five times a day. There are no openly known mission workers in the Horn of Africa, although many aid workers are present.
In Djibouti, there are French Protestant, French Catholic, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches, but no local church. In Somalia, there are no longer any functioning churches. Djibouti remains stable, making it a secure location for several foreign military bases. The country has also seen significant Chinese investment. While this brings in revenue, high unemployment and widespread poverty persist.
It is possible to sell literature, but not to give it away freely. The Good News can be shared privately, in the safety of one’s home.
In some areas, there have been glimpses of openness and signs of change. Communityfocused projects have helped to build friendships and demonstrate love in practical ways. In one such initiative, young people from poor backgrounds, arriving dishevelled and with little hope, began to take better care of themselves after just a few weeks. Their confidence grew, and they began to show interest in new ways of thinking about life.
Somalia remains unstable, with Islamist militant groups holding sway in many rural areas as well as in the south and central regions. After two decades without a functioning government, Somalia now has a parliament and recognised national leaders.
The Horn of Africa has at least 97% identifying as Muslim. There are many cultures present – in Djibouti, around ten languages are spoken. French and Arabic are used in education, while Somali and Afar are commonly spoken in trade. In Somalia, Somali is the dominant language.
Please pray for this diverse region where conflict and both spiritual and physical poverty persist, and there are many challenges to sharing the gospel.
Somalia remains unstable, with Islamist militant groups holding sway in many rural areas
Please pray that …
- God’s love would be evident through those who come to help, and that hearts would be softened to receive it.
- Those coming to faith would not be hindered by clan or family pressure, or by persecution.
Some stats
Source: joshuaproject.net unless otherwise stated
Djibouti
Population: 1 million
11 people groups, 7 (64%) are unreached
96% Muslim (source: Google)
evangelical Christian: 0.1%
Ethiopia (whole country)
Population: 135.4 million (source: worldometers.info)
129 people groups
33 unreached people groups (30 million people – 23%)
58% Christian adherent (18% evangelical)
34% of the population were Muslim in 2007 – possibly 50% today (source: Google)
Ogaden region
>80 people groups
Somalia
Population: 19.5 million
>99% Muslim
evangelical Christian: 0.01%
22 people groups of which 20 (91%) are unreached people groups
2nd, Open Doors World Watch List 2025 (source: Open Doors)
Poverty is high with livestock impacted by droughts and conflict
No official churches, Christians practice in secrecy
A&A are associate mission partners with UFM who serve between the UK and East Africa.
Photos: main image – Hanna Grace/unsplash.com