EXPLORING RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN AFRICAN LIBRARIES: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW USING PRISMA Section Articles

Abstract

Effective research data management (RDM) is vital to advancing open science, research integrity,
and knowledge preservation. This study systematically reviewed literature on RDM practices in
African libraries (2015–2025) using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and
Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. It aimed to assess the state of RDM implementation,
institutional readiness, training initiatives, and emerging challenges across the continent.
Searches were conducted in Scopus, Google Scholar, and African Journals Online (AJOL),
yielding 43 eligible studies. Thematic synthesis revealed five main themes: Governance and
Policy, Infrastructure and Tools, Capacity Building and Training, Cultural and Organizational
Barriers, and Outcomes and Impact. Quantitative mapping showed that Cultural and
Organizational Barriers appeared most frequently (43; 95.5%), followed by Outcomes and Impact
(37; 82.2%), Capacity Building and Training (29; 64.4%), Infrastructure and Tools (25; 55.6%),
and Governance and Policy (15; 33.3%). Findings showed that most African academic libraries
remain at early stages of RDM implementation. While a few, notably in South Africa and Kenya,
have institutional policies and repositories, others especially in Nigeria, Ghana, and Ethiopia face
challenges such as limited infrastructure, inadequate skills, and cultural resistance to data
sharing. Training opportunities are scarce. The study concludes that Africa’s RDM landscape is
emerging but uneven. To enhance progress, it recommends developing clear institutional policies
aligned with FAIR principles, investing in infrastructure, embedding RDM training in library curricula,

ensuring sustainable funding, and strengthening regional collaboration to align with
global open science frameworks.