Artificial intelligence in Africa: a bibliometric analysis from 2013 to 2022

Abstract This study employs bibliometric analysis to investigate the evolving research landscape of Artificial intelligence (AI) within Africa, focusing on the years 2013 to 2022. The central objective is to discern and analyze AI studies conducted in Africa, using a dataset compiled from research papers within the Scopus database. By conducting a comprehensive analysis, this research uncovers crucial insights, including primary authors, influential journals and publishers, nations with the highest research productivity, noteworthy funding sources, influential organizations, and prevalent research domains. Additionally, the study examines year-by-year growth trends and authorship patterns. Employing the VOSviewer software, it creates visual representations that illustrate the dynamic evolution of AI research within the African context. Notably, the analysis of 1646 publications reveals a significant increase in publications over the last decade, with South Africa emerging as a global leader in AI development, and the IEEE, Elsevier, and Springer as prominent publishers. The study also highlights the leading institutions, with the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of Cape Town, and University of Pretoria at the forefront of AI research in Africa. The National Research Foundation is identified as the primary funder supporting AI research across the continent. In conclusion, this research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of AI’s role in addressing African challenges, fostering innovation, and contributing to the continent’s technological advancement, shedding light on prevalent research areas and significant funding sources in the process.