Abstract Contemporary digital repositories enhance research management by providing centralized platforms for storing, organizing, and accessing research output. However, the establishment of institutional repositories in the Arab world, including Yemen, has been slow, limiting accessibility and hindering progress. This study aims to address this gap by identifying planning priorities for successful repository development in Yemen, enabling universities to keep pace with global advancements and improve research dissemination. The research methodology involved several key steps to tackle the problem of slow digital repository development in Yemen. Firstly, a comprehensive literature review was conducted to gain insights and inform the development of a questionnaire. Expert assessment was then carried out, involving feedback from specialized arbitrators and experts to refine the questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were tested using various approaches. Validated questionnaires were distributed to a deliberate sample of individuals in Yemeni universities, and the collected data was analyzed using statistical software. The analysis included frequency calculations, correlation coefficients, and means to gain insights into research management and institutional digital repositories. The analysis highlights the top priorities for addressing slow digital repository development in Yemen. These priorities include establishing a research information management system (avg. rating: 4.65, 93% agreement), preparing a digital library database of research outputs (avg. rating: 4.59, 92% agreement), and establishing a refereed electronic scientific journal (avg. rating: 4.51, 90% agreement). These findings underscore the importance of prioritizing these actions to enhance research management and academic output dissemination in Yemeni universities. This study also provides a detailed prioritization and recommendations. By addressing the slow development and embracing these priorities, Yemeni universities can enhance research management and facilitate knowledge exchange, benefiting the academic community and the country as a whole.