In 2012, the family counseling association Guryosamo was founded, in Somalia, to help young Somalis get married among other things. Ten years later, it decided to modernize operations, hence the birth of Guurdoon. 

Guurdoon is a digital solution developed by the Somali association Guryosamo, founded in 2012 and headed by Ahmed Abshir Geedi. The solution, launched in 2022, connects users looking for spouses.

In the Somali language, "Guurdoon" literally means "in search of marriage".  

"We have big problems today with marriages. Our young people are rushing to get married and then immediately getting divorced. We understood the need to promote a platform where people of all ages can meet and find each other as partners since our young people are mainly on social networks these days. The [solution] is something totally new, and some people are confused by its use," says Ahmed Abshir Geedi.

Its mobile app is available only for Android devices. Through the app, users can register for accounts by entering a number of information. Among other things, they will input their level of education, the desired education level, and the employment status of their partners, etc..

Unlike traditional dating applications, where users have to swipe profiles, Guurdoon selects the best profiles that match users’ requirements.   "I entered the characteristics I wanted in my partner and the app suggested [...] I just need to make up my mind and choose one," explains Abdifatah Adan, a tuktuk driver in Mogadishu. Although Somalia is a conservative, religious-oriented society, the app has already been downloaded more than 50,000 times, according to Play Store data.

Adoni Conrad Quenum