This list documents major inventions and discoveries from the Somali Peninsula, spanning fields such as maritime navigation, medicine, economics, and the arts. These contributions have influenced regional and global advancements in trade, science, and technology. This list remains incomplete.

• Beden: An ancient Somali single or double-masted maritime vessel known for its sewn-hull construction, towering stern-post, and powerful rudder. It is the longest surviving sewn boat type in the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula.
• Indian Ocean Navigation: Somali navigator Maalim Ibrahim provided British explorer John Septimus Roe with a revised nautical map, correcting errors in European cartography of the Indian Ocean.^[1][2]

• Camel domestication: The Somali Peninsula is one of two regions where camels were first domesticated (3rd millennium BC), and Somalia remains home to the world’s largest camel population.
• Donkey Domestication: The donkey was first domesticated in the Horn of Africa for transport and trade, expanding ancient commerce networks.^[3]
• Abban System: A traditional Somali trade protection and brokerage system where Abbans facilitated commerce, protected merchants, and ensured safe passage. It represents one of the earliest forms of structured transit dues.
• Somali Side-Line Hobble: A unique horse and mule hobbling method using stiff leather loops with toggles.^[4]

• Xeer: A traditional Somali legal system dating back to at least the 7th century, incorporating democratic principles, consensus-building, and community-based dispute resolution.^[5]

• Brain Surgery: Historical accounts suggest that Somali traditional doctors performed successful brain surgeries before the first widely recognized brain tumor resection in 1879.^[6][7][8]

• Malaria: In 1856, the British explorer Richard Burton noted that Somalis in the town of Zelia (Zeila) believed fevers were linked to mosquito bites. Burton dismissed this view as a "superstition," yet it aligns with the modern understanding that malaria is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.^[9]

• Somali Traditional Medicine: Somali traditional medicine includes over 500 documented medicinal plants, with remedies such as the Gob tree cleanser receiving recent global attention in skincare and herbal medicine.^[10][11]
• Ouabain: Ouabain, also known as g-strophanthin, is a plant derived toxic substance that was traditionally used as an arrow poison in eastern Africa for both hunting and warfare. Ouabain is a cardiac glycoside and, in lower doses, can be used medically to treat hypertension and some arrhythmias.
• Ventilator – In 2020, Somali engineer Osman Abdi Mohamed developed a custom open-source ventilator to address Somalia’s medical equipment shortages.^[12]
• Anti-Asthmatic Medicine: Somali traditional medicine uses Acacia tortilis to treat asthma. Scientific studies confirm its effectiveness and safety.^[13]
• Heart Ring: Mariam Noor, a Somali scientist and PhD student at Aarhus University, has developed a novel ring device designed to treat leaky heart valves. The device is intended to be implanted to support and secure the valve, thereby reducing regurgitation and restoring proper function.^[14]
• Frankincense- Drived Arthritis Treatment: Dr. Ahmed Ali and Cardiff University researchers identified an extract from Boswellia frereana, a frankincense species traditionally used by Somalis, as a potential arthritis treatment. Their study isolated an active ingredient that inhibits key inflammatory molecules, advancing anti-inflammatory therapy development.^[15]
• HIV Vaccine Development: Jama Dalel, a Somali scientist working with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is developing a novel HIV vaccine candidate that employs advanced immunogen design and integrates findings from both virology and oncology.^[16]
• Human Papilomavirus Infection: Jama Dalel has identified for the first time a link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and throat cancer. The discovery may have significant implications for HIV prevention strategies as well as for the understanding of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers^[17]
• Supercharged Stem Cells for Bone Healing: Biomedical researcher Ikran Ali co-developed a stem cell-based therapy designed to accelerate bone healing in non-union fractures. The approach enhances stem cell regenerative capacity, improving outcomes in orthopedic surgery and musculoskeletal treatments.^{[18][19][20][21][22][23]}

• Gaashaan: A conical shield made from rhinoceros or hippopotamus hide, historically used by Somali infantrymen. It was later adopted by neighboring cultures.
• Billao: A double-edged dagger with a distinctive wooden or horn hilt, traditionally paired with the Somali war shield in combat.

• Mohammed Nur significantly contributed to the early study of the Somali language in Europe, documenting a number of dialects and traditional Somali poetry. His work played a foundational role in the development of Northeast African Studies at the University of Hamburg.^[24]

• Sumad: A traditional Somali symbolic marking system used for identification and possibly an early form of writing, now lost.
• Wadaad Writing: An Arabic-based transcription system historically used for writing Somali.
• Osmanya Script: A national writing system developed by Osman Yusuf Kenadid in the 1920s to provide an indigenous script for Somali.
• Kadare Script: An alternative Somali script created as another attempt to standardize Somali writing.
• Gadabursi Script: A writing system historically used by the Gadabursi in Awdal.

• Somali Calendar: An ancient lunisolar system historically used by Somali herders and farmers to determine seasonal changes and forecast weather. ^[26]

• Traditional Somali Instruments: Includes the Durbaan (drum).
• Somali Poetic and Musical Traditions:
• Gabay: The longest form of Somali poetry, often exceeding 100 lines. Traditionally composed by men, it is chanted in a slow, monotonous style and addresses serious themes while sometimes incorporating satire.^{[27] [28]}
• Balwo: A genre of light poetry and music emerging in the mid-1940s, characterized by very short lines and rhythmic delivery. Originated by Abdi Sinimo, it played a major role in Somali nationalist movements and is considered the forerunner of modern Somali music.^[29][30]
• Qaraami: A Somali love poetry genre from the 1930s, blending 5-line gabay stanzas with melodic performance. Poets such as Cilmi Bowdheri became famous for their lyrical works.^[31] The Qaraami genre of music that emerged was subsequently fused with jazz, soul, reggae, and funk by artists like Dur-Dur Band, Iftiin, and Waaberi pioneered Somali music’s fusion. The Grammy-nominated album Sweet as Broken Dates highlights this legacy.^[32][33]
• Buraanbur: A traditional poetic form typically composed and performed by women, often recited with drums and dance at weddings and cultural gatherings.
• Ruwaayad (Somali Theatre): A 1940s fusion of poetry, music, and drama, forming a distinct Somali theatrical tradition.
• Traditional Somali Dance:
• Dhaanto: A rhythmic and energetic dance rooted in Somali folklore.
• Saylici: Among the oldest and richest music, dance, and theatrical traditions in the Somali Peninsula.

Porc Epic Cave: Located near Dire Dawa (present-day Ethiopian-controlled Somali Region), this archaeological site has been identified as the world’s oldest known art studio, containing ancient ochre-processing tools.^[34]

Alindi: A traditional Somali woven fabric used for both functional and decorative purposes

Dirac: A knee- or ankle-length, thin, loose dress traditionally worn by Somali women, with its style originating in northern Somali territory in the 1960s.^[35] It has since been widely adopted in East and Central Africa, where it is known as Dera as well as in neighbouring Yemen.

Baati: A loose-fitting cotton dress with short sleeves, commonly worn at home. It has spread throughout East Africa due to Somali trade and migration.

Contemporary Somali fashion designers have integrated traditional textile patterns and craftsmanship into modern apparel, influencing global styles.

• Mataano: A New York-based Somali fashion brand founded by twin sisters Ayaan and Idyl Mohallim, blending traditional Somali aesthetics with modern high fashion.
• Omar Munie: A Dutch-Somali luxury designer, best known for handcrafted leather bags and accessories featured in European fashion markets.^[36]
• Daily Paper: A streetwear brand co-founded by a Somali entrepreneur, incorporating African-inspired designs into modern urban fashion.^[37]

• Somali Carving: Traditional Somali wood and stone carving has been primarily practiced by men, focusing on crafting functional objects such as the fandhaal (spoon), fidhin (comb), various utensils, and walking sticks.^[27]

Main article: Somali Cuisine

• Bariis iskukaris: A rice dish cooked together with meat and other ingredients in a single pot.
• Malawah: A sweet pancake usually eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
• Laxoox: Spongy flatbread made from a fermented batter.
• Sabaayad: Square flatbread, usually eaten with some type of broth.
• Maraq (dish): Soup dish typically eaten with meat.
• Xawaash: Somali spice mix.
• Cambaabur: Bread that is usually eaten during Eid and served with yogurt.

• Istunka: A mock combat sport in which multiple teams engage in ceremonial battles as part of cultural celebrations.

• Shax: A Somali strategy board game with twenty-four points (guryo) arranged in a three-tiered rectangular board. Players alternate placing their twelve pieces (often pebbles, bottle caps, or dung). Forming a straight line of three allows the removal of an opponent's piece. The game’s blend of placement and removal mechanics has contributed to its centuries-long survival and popularity.^[27]
• Layli Goobalay: A Somali variant of count-and-capture games, closely related to Mancala.^[38]
• High Jump: A two-player strategy game from Somalia. Similar to draughts and alquerque, players hop over one another for captures. Unlike its counterparts, movement and captures are orthogonal rather than diagonal.

• WorldRemit: WorldRemit pioneered advancements in mobile-based remittance technology, helping streamline instant international money transfers. The platform played a key role in popularizing digital remittances through mobile-to-mobile transactions and mobile money wallet integration.^[39]
• Shop (Shopify) (formerly Arrive) is a mobile commerce app designed to track orders and enhance the online shopping experience. It was co-founded and developed by Somali entrepreneur Robleh Jama, whose company Tiny Hearts initially created the app before its acquisition by Shopify.^[40][41][42]
• Cashless Society: Scholars and financial analysts have cited Somaliland as an example of a near-cashless economy due to its reliance on mobile money platforms like Zaad and E-Dahab.^[43]

• Abdusalam Abubakar developed 'An Extension of Wiener's Attack on RSA', an advanced method to exploit RSA encryption vulnerabilities. His research won the 2007 EU Young Scientist of the Year award.^[44]

• Solar Cooker: Dr. Abdoulkader Ibrahim Idriss, an engineer at the University of Djibouti, developed a high-efficiency solar cooker designed for extreme climates. The cooker features enhanced thermal retention and durability, using locally available materials to optimize performance. This innovation contributes to expanding renewable energy solutions in arid regions.^[45][46][47]
• Selfrag Diamond Extraction Method: Hamdi Ahmed pioneered a high-voltage pulse fragmentation technique for diamond extraction, offering a more energy-efficient and sustainable alternative to mechanical crushing. The method preserves gem integrity, reduces waste, and enhances extraction efficiency, minimizing environmental impact.^[48]
• Hassan al-Jabarti designed an early crane for construction and documented his research on weights and mechanical balances in Al-Iqd al-thamin fima yata'allaq bi-'l-mawazin, a treatise on engineering principles.^[49]

Djibouti 1A Satelite: In November 2023, Djiboutian Somali scientists and engineers designed and launched Djibouti-1A, the country’s first satellite. The nanosatellite was developed for climate and environmental monitoring, providing real-time data on temperature, rainfall, and hydrometry.^[50]

Self-Adhesive Stamp: Alim Ahmed Fatah invented a self-adhesive, recyclable postage stamp that employs non-toxic security inks and modern cancellation inks and is used in American postal service facilities.^[51]

• Cyclamen somalense: Discovered and described by Somali botanist Ahmed Mumin Warfa, this species represents the first recorded Cyclamen in tropical Africa.^[52]
• Crotalaria warfae: Identified by Ahmed Mumin Warfa, this plant species has contributed to scientific research on frankincense biosynthesis and resin extraction in Somali flora.^[53]
• Somali Red Aloe: Somali scientist Ahmed Ibrahim Awale described Aloe sanguinalis, a newly identified Aloe species endemic to Somalia.^[54][55]

• Rh blood group variant (Rh9/Cx antigen): In 1987, Dr. Osman Aden Abdulle identified a rare Rh blood group variant unique to the Somali population, refining genetic classifications in hematology.^[56]