Bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Nigeria

Abstract Amid escalating climate threats and energy poverty, understanding research patterns on sustainable energy and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for shaping effective interventions. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of scholarly research on sustainable energy transiti...

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Main Authors: Enoch I. Obanor, Joseph O. Dirisu, Oluwaseun O. Kilanko, Olayinka S. Ohunakin, Oluseyi O. Ajayi, Sunday O. Oyedepo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-07-01
Series:Discover Energy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43937-025-00084-6
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author Enoch I. Obanor
Joseph O. Dirisu
Oluwaseun O. Kilanko
Olayinka S. Ohunakin
Oluseyi O. Ajayi
Sunday O. Oyedepo
author_facet Enoch I. Obanor
Joseph O. Dirisu
Oluwaseun O. Kilanko
Olayinka S. Ohunakin
Oluseyi O. Ajayi
Sunday O. Oyedepo
author_sort Enoch I. Obanor
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Amid escalating climate threats and energy poverty, understanding research patterns on sustainable energy and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for shaping effective interventions. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of scholarly research on sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa between 2014 and 2024, with a particular focus on Nigeria. Using data from Scopus and Web of Science, 412 peer-reviewed publications were analysed to identify trends in authorship, thematic clusters, institutional collaboration, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13. Analytical tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to construct keyword co-occurrence networks and visualise citation structures. The findings reveal a growing focus on decentralised renewable energy systems, policy frameworks, and energy equity, while also highlighting gaps in climate adaptation, financing mechanisms, and localised case studies. Nigeria emerges as a significant contributor; however, it continues to face challenges in implementation and regional collaboration. The study provides targeted recommendations for policymakers, funders, and research institutions to address these gaps and enhance the role of academic research in promoting equitable and sustainable energy transitions throughout the region.
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spelling doaj-art-98e84c5bb891494c9401dff80eacdabf2025-08-20T03:06:43ZengSpringerDiscover Energy2730-77192025-07-015112010.1007/s43937-025-00084-6Bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on NigeriaEnoch I. Obanor0Joseph O. Dirisu1Oluwaseun O. Kilanko2Olayinka S. Ohunakin3Oluseyi O. Ajayi4Sunday O. Oyedepo5Department of Mechanical Engineering, Covenant UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Covenant UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Covenant UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Covenant UniversityDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Covenant UniversityDepartment of Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering, Bells University of TechnologyAbstract Amid escalating climate threats and energy poverty, understanding research patterns on sustainable energy and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for shaping effective interventions. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of scholarly research on sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa between 2014 and 2024, with a particular focus on Nigeria. Using data from Scopus and Web of Science, 412 peer-reviewed publications were analysed to identify trends in authorship, thematic clusters, institutional collaboration, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13. Analytical tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to construct keyword co-occurrence networks and visualise citation structures. The findings reveal a growing focus on decentralised renewable energy systems, policy frameworks, and energy equity, while also highlighting gaps in climate adaptation, financing mechanisms, and localised case studies. Nigeria emerges as a significant contributor; however, it continues to face challenges in implementation and regional collaboration. The study provides targeted recommendations for policymakers, funders, and research institutions to address these gaps and enhance the role of academic research in promoting equitable and sustainable energy transitions throughout the region.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43937-025-00084-6Sustainable energyClimate actionClean energyEnergy transitionSub-Saharan AfricaBibliometric analysis
spellingShingle Enoch I. Obanor
Joseph O. Dirisu
Oluwaseun O. Kilanko
Olayinka S. Ohunakin
Oluseyi O. Ajayi
Sunday O. Oyedepo
Bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Nigeria
Discover Energy
Sustainable energy
Climate action
Clean energy
Energy transition
Sub-Saharan Africa
Bibliometric analysis
title Bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Nigeria
title_full Bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Nigeria
title_fullStr Bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Nigeria
title_full_unstemmed Bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Nigeria
title_short Bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa with a focus on Nigeria
title_sort bibliometric analysis of sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub saharan africa with a focus on nigeria
topic Sustainable energy
Climate action
Clean energy
Energy transition
Sub-Saharan Africa
Bibliometric analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43937-025-00084-6
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