Tracking the evolution of tuberculosis research priorities in Africa: a longitudinal bibliometric analysis from 2003-2023.

Background: Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database for publications between January 2003 and December 2023. The study selection process followed PRISMA guidelines. A total of 8,797 records were identified, of which 8,181 met the inclusion criteria after screening and eligibility assessment. Data were analyzed using RStudio (Bibliometrix package and Biblioshiny interface) and Microsoft Excel 2023. Analyses included authorship patterns, institutional and country contributions, publication trends, citation analysis, collaboration networks, leading journals, funding organizations, and thematic mapping. Results: Tuberculosis research output in Africa increased consistently over the study period. Articles accounted for most publications (75%), followed by reviews (10%) and conference papers (2%). South Africa was the most productive and most cited country, while the University of Cape Town demonstrated the strongest institutional collaboration network. Highly cited contributions included studies by Hoosen Coovadia et al. (2009) and Abdelkrim Boutayeb (2006). Conclusion: Tuberculosis research in Africa has increased substantially over the past two decades, with growing emphasis on epidemiology, drug resistance, and HIV co-infection. South Africa remains the leading contributor, likely reflecting stronger research infrastructure and funding capacity. However, gaps persist in regionally balanced research output and collaboration. Strengthening intra-African and global partnerships, as well as supporting underrepresented regions, will be critical for advancing tuberculosis research and control efforts across the continent. Systematic review registration: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21672964.