A scientometric analysis and visualisation of livelihood research for sustainability in Sub-Saharan Mountain regions

Mountain regions in Sub-Saharan Africa are ecologically important yet socio-economically vulnerable, with livelihoods increasingly threatened by climate change, land degradation, and limited development investment. Despite their significance, research on sustainable livelihoods in these mountain systems remains fragmented and geographically uneven. This study examines trends, geographic patterns, and thematic priorities in livelihoods research in Sub-Saharan African mountain regions from 2002 to 2024 using Scientometric and Bibliometric analysis. An initial Scopus search identified 61 relevant publications; after excluding two non-English records, 59 documents were retained for final analysis. Using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20), the study assessed publication growth, leading authors and institutions, country contributions, disciplinary coverage, and keyword co-occurrence networks. Results show a gradual increase in research output, with strong concentration in East Africa particularly Ethiopia and Kenya and limited representation from Southern and West African mountain regions. Environmental Sciences and Social Sciences dominate the literature, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of livelihood research. Major themes include agriculture, climate change, food security, land management, smallholder farming, and household income, reflecting the centrality of climate-sensitive and agro-based livelihoods. However, significant gaps persist, including regional imbalances, limited integration of indigenous knowledge systems, and insufficient comparative and policy-relevant studies. The study concludes that while scholarly interest in mountain livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa is growing, the evidence base remains modest relative to the scale of socio-ecological challenges. Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding research in underrepresented mountain systems, and aligning future work with the Sustainable Development Goals could enhance policy relevance and support more resilient livelihood strategies.