Governance and Economic Emergence in Africa: A Bibliometric Mapping and Thematic Analysis of the Scientific Landscape

Résumé

The relationship between governance quality and economic emergence has become a central concern in development research, particularly within African contexts where institutional effectiveness strongly shapes growth trajectories. Despite a rapidly expanding body of literature, studies remain dispersed across disciplines and theoretical traditions, limiting a consolidated understanding of the field’s intellectual structure. This study addresses this gap through a bibliometric analysis of 1,255 documents indexed in Scopus between 2000 and 2025. Using performance indicators, collaboration networks, and science mapping techniques, the paper examines publication dynamics, influential authors and sources, geographic patterns of production, and thematic configurations. The findings reveal a fast-growing and interdisciplinary domain organized around a core governance–development nexus, complemented by emerging streams on sustainability, corporate governance, and local policy implementation. While research is concentrated in a few international hubs, several African countries remain underrepresented, indicating substantial opportunities for original contributions. The study provides a systematic overview of the field and outlines strategic directions for future research.