A Bibliometric Review on Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) in Antimicrobial Agent Development in Africa (2019-2024)

Owolabi, Akinyomade O. and Ogundokun, Roseline Oluwaseun and Oyama, Marshanty Obem (2025) A Bibliometric Review on Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) in Antimicrobial Agent Development in Africa (2019-2024). NIPES JSTR SPECIAL ISSUE, 7 (1). pp. 2395-2402.

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Abstract

bstract—Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a critical health and economic threat in Africa, exacerbated by infectious disease prevalence and limited access to novel therapeutics. Computer-aided drug design (CADD) presents a promising, cost-effective approach to accelerating antimicrobial development, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This bibliometric review investigates the landscape of CADD research in Africa between 2019 and 2024, aiming to quantify research productivity, evaluate collaboration networks, identify thematic trends, and expose systemic gaps. 1,561 Scopus-indexed documents were analyzed using Biblioshiny, an R Studio-based bibliometric tool. Results reveal a sharp annual growth rate of 243.32% in publication output, with South Africa, Egypt, and Nigeria emerging as dominant contributors. Co-authorship and institutional collaboration maps indicate strong but uneven regional networks, often relying on Global North partnerships. Thematic analyses emphasizemolecular docking and Escherichia coli, while innovative techniques like machine learning remain underutilized. Highly cited documents reflect Africa’s strength in ethnopharmacology and natural product-based drug discovery. However, gaps persist in translational research, regional inclusivity, and advanced computational integration. This study offers evidence-based insights to inform policy, strengthen research infrastructure, and catalyze Africa-led innovations for combating AMR.

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