Towards equitable, integrated, and adaptive water-energy-food nexus research in Africa: A systematic literature review

The Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus offers a vital framework for addressing interconnected resource management challenges in Africa. The continent faces growing demands for water, energy, and food driven by rapid population growth, climate change, and socio-economic development. Despite its relevance, there is a need for a more comprehensive understanding of how the WEF Nexus is being researched and applied across Africa's diverse regions. This systematic review examines all 66 relevant peer-reviewed articles retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus databases up to and including 2023. It assesses the evolution of WEF Nexus research in Africa, identifying key themes such as resource security, climate change, societal considerations, and governance. The review reveals the evolving nature of WEF Nexus research and its uneven geographical focus. While the WEF Nexus has significant potential for addressing Africa's resource challenges, existing research is often limited by geographical disparities, inconsistent methodologies, and insufficient attention to local contexts and community needs. To address these limitations, this review proposes three key strategies for future research: Equitable WEF Nexus research that prioritises under-researched regions and encourages local-global collaborations; integrated research that includes climate change factors and mixed-methods approaches; and adaptive research focused on community engagement and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. Together, these strategies pave the way to a more inclusive, impactful, and contextually relevant WEF Nexus framework for Africa. • Equitable, Integrated, and Adaptive strategies enhance WEF Nexus research in Africa. • Geographical focus gaps and funding biases identified in WEF Nexus studies. • Climate change and governance integration crucial for WEF Nexus success. • Local stakeholder engagement enhances resource management in Africa. • Balanced water, energy, and food security approaches needed for Africa.