Energy transition geoscience is an urgent research need for Africa

The population of Africa is growing at a rate of over 2.3% per year, the highest rate of growth among the continents, and it contained the world's 20 fastest-growing economies in 2024. Its economy is partly driven by its large resources of minerals, oil and diamonds, and its rapidly growing population. Geoscience research, knowledge and application will be vital for the sustainable use of these resources. A bibliometric analysis from 2014 to 2024 reveals that Africa is under-represented in elements of geoscience research for the energy transition (carbon capture and storage, critical minerals, geothermal), as well as in advanced data science, for example machine learning and artificial intelligence, both of which are likely to form a part of the geoscience solutions to energy transition challenges. This representation is shown in terms of the small number of papers published on Africa, and more crucially those on Africa that are led by Africa-based researchers. The situation could be improved by provision of competitive salaries for African academics, as well as encouraging foreign researchers to develop collaborators in Africa, including building more sustainability and less dependency into African research funding. Aid ‘paternalism’ can be counteracted by schemes that encourage local agency, and capacity building in Africa.