Abstract
Abstract Amid escalating climate threats and energy poverty, understanding research patterns on sustainable energy and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa is crucial for shaping effective interventions. This study presents a bibliometric analysis of scholarly research on sustainable energy transition and climate action in sub-Saharan Africa between 2014 and 2024, with a particular focus on Nigeria. Using data from Scopus and Web of Science, 412 peer-reviewed publications were analysed to identify trends in authorship, thematic clusters, institutional collaboration, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 and 13. Analytical tools such as VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to construct keyword co-occurrence networks and visualise citation structures. The findings reveal a growing focus on decentralised renewable energy systems, policy frameworks, and energy equity, while also highlighting gaps in climate adaptation, financing mechanisms, and localised case studies. Nigeria emerges as a significant contributor; however, it continues to face challenges in implementation and regional collaboration. The study provides targeted recommendations for policymakers, funders, and research institutions to address these gaps and enhance the role of academic research in promoting equitable and sustainable energy transitions throughout the region.