Neurosurgery Research in Africa: Current landscape, Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Prospects.

Introduction Current knowledge on the landscape of neurosurgery research in Africa is limited, with major deficiencies in understanding obstacles and opportunities for African neurosurgeons. This paper explores the landscape and challenges of neurosurgery research in Africa, and highlights opportunities to strengthen the research ecosystem. Methods This is a critical scientometric analysis with an in-depth appraisal and synthesis of the landscape and challenges of neurosurgery research in Africa. Results There is a paucity of laboratory studies in Africa. Clinical research is prevalent but qualitative articles are few (1.9%). In Africa, most publications are quantitative predominantly primary studies (78.4-90.6 %) which are mostly observational. Multicenter and collaborative research are limited. African neurosurgeons publish 90% articles, two-thirds in African-based journals:-none indexed in PubMed. Neuro-oncology, spinal surgery, cerebrovascular and trauma accounted for two-thirds of the papers. Global neurosurgery papers are rising, most on service delivery. There are significant disparities in research output with Sub-Saharan Africa showing exponential growth. English-speaking African countries show a higher productivity. Average citations per article are low. Key research challenges include limited resources, insufficient funding, a shortage of qualified researchers and underrepresentation in editorial boards. There is a 15-fold increase in research productivity over the past two decades, driven by factors like, increased residency programs and capacity-building efforts. Conclusion Neurosurgical research in Africa faces numerous challenges, limiting African voices from contributing to the global neurosurgical discourse. Through targeted system-level investments, Africa’s neurosurgical research ecosystem can be strengthened. This will improve patient care and diversifies global neurosurgical evidence.

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Publication Details

Journal
WFNS Journal
Published
2026-10-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2977-9849
Primary Topic
Global Health and Surgery
Type
article
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article

Neurosurgery Research in Africa: Current landscape, Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Prospects.

Joseph Ngah Eloundou, Yannick Canton Kessely, Luxwell Jokonya, A.K. Beketi et al.
WFNS Journal
Global Health and Surgery
article

Neurosurgery Research in Africa: Current landscape, Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Prospects.

Joseph Ngah Eloundou, Yannick Canton Kessely, Luxwell Jokonya, A.K. Beketi, Yakouba Haro, Ignatius Ngene Esene, Aaron Musara, Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, Adel El Hakim, Ana Cristina Veiga Silva, Abdessamad El Ouahabi, Fahd Derkaoui Hassani, Temitayo Shokunbi, Agabe Emmy Nkusi, Mehdi Darmoul, Nimrod JM Mwang'ombe, Hamisi Kimaro Shabani, Badra Aliou Koné, Nabila Tighilt, Tsegazeab Laeke, Alpha Boubacar Bah, Ntalaja Jeff, Mikail Sallé, Ekouele Mbaki Hugues Brieux, Meleine Landry Konan, Kachinga Sichizya, Berjo N Takoutsing, Mohammed Awad Elzain, Gilbert Dechambenoit, Oluwamayowa Opara, John Jabang, Solomon Ondoma, Kazadi Kalangu, Thioub Mbaye, najia ElAbbadi, Alvan-Emeka Kelechi Ukachukwu, Seydou B Badiane, Walid Abdel Ghany, Abdulrahman Alkish, Dieumerci Kantenga Kabulo, Nasser ElGhandour, Djamel Kitumba, Alvin Nah Doe, Anthony Graham Fieggen, Holden Fadigba, Nathalie Ghomsi
article en

Abstract

Introduction Current knowledge on the landscape of neurosurgery research in Africa is limited, with major deficiencies in understanding obstacles and opportunities for African neurosurgeons. This paper explores the landscape and challenges of neurosurgery research in Africa, and highlights opportunities to strengthen the research ecosystem. Methods This is a critical scientometric analysis with an in-depth appraisal and synthesis of the landscape and challenges of neurosurgery research in Africa. Results There is a paucity of laboratory studies in Africa. Clinical research is prevalent but qualitative articles are few (1.9%). In Africa, most publications are quantitative predominantly primary studies (78.4-90.6 %) which are mostly observational. Multicenter and collaborative research are limited. African neurosurgeons publish 90% articles, two-thirds in African-based journals:-none indexed in PubMed. Neuro-oncology, spinal surgery, cerebrovascular and trauma accounted for two-thirds of the papers. Global neurosurgery papers are rising, most on service delivery. There are significant disparities in research output with Sub-Saharan Africa showing exponential growth. English-speaking African countries show a higher productivity. Average citations per article are low. Key research challenges include limited resources, insufficient funding, a shortage of qualified researchers and underrepresentation in editorial boards. There is a 15-fold increase in research productivity over the past two decades, driven by factors like, increased residency programs and capacity-building efforts. Conclusion Neurosurgical research in Africa faces numerous challenges, limiting African voices from contributing to the global neurosurgical discourse. Through targeted system-level investments, Africa’s neurosurgical research ecosystem can be strengthened. This will improve patient care and diversifies global neurosurgical evidence.

WFNS Journal
Ain Shams University (EG), Mohammed V University (MA), University of Nairobi (KE), Western Cape Department of Health (ZA), African Development Bank Group (CI), University of Lubumbashi (CD), University of Louisville (US), Cairo University (EG), University of Zimbabwe (ZW), University of Cape Town (ZA), University of Monastir (TN), Imo State University (NG), John F. Kennedy University (US), University of Ibadan (NG), University of Namibia (NA), University of Tripoli (LY), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR), University of Bamenda (CM), King Saud Medical City (SA), Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (GM), Donka Hospital (GN), Zambia Forestry College (ZM), University of Kigali (RW), University of Zambia (ZM), University of Kara (TG), Université de Parakou (BJ), Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (ZM), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo (BF), Maputo Central Hospital (MZ), Centre Hospitalier National Universitaire de Fann (SN), University of Louisville Hospital (US), World Health Organization - Zambia (ZM), Duke University Health System (US), Hôpital Universitaire International Cheikh Khalifa (MA), Harare Central Hospital (ZW), Neurological Surgery (US), Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (TZ), Ghana Health Service (GH), John F. Kennedy Medical Center (US), Mercy Hospital (US), Children's Specialized Hospital (US), Hospital Fatuma Bourguiba Monastir (TN), Addis Ababa University (ET), Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (CI), Marien Ngouabi University (CG)
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Global Health and Surgery
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