Bridging the Divide: A Systematic Literature Review of Sustainability Pathways for SMEs in Sub Saharan Africa Amid Global Sustainability Transitions

Ang'edu, Eulalia and Dióssi, Katalin (2026) Bridging the Divide: A Systematic Literature Review of Sustainability Pathways for SMEs in Sub Saharan Africa Amid Global Sustainability Transitions. In: FEJLŐDÉSI PÁLYÁK ÉS ÚJ TÖRÉSVONALAK A FENNTARTHATÓSÁGI ÁTMENET IDŐSZAKÁBAN : Nemzetközi tudományos konferencia a Magyar Tudomány Ünnepe alkalmából. Soproni Egyetem Kiadó, Sopron, pp. 278-295. ISBN 9789633345795

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Abstract

This study examines how sustainability is defined and practiced among small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting the region’s position within global sustainability transitions. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) approach based on PRISMA guidelines, the research analyzes 30 peer-reviewed articles from the Scopus and Web of Science databases published between 2000 and 2025. The review process involved clear inclusion and exclusion criteria, title and abstract screening, and data extraction from relevant studies focused on SME sustainability within the region. Findings reveal a sharp contrast between global and regional research patterns, with Sub-Saharan Africa contributing a limited share of the global literature despite increasing interest after the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most studies emphasize managerial practices, innovation, and corporate social responsibility as emerging drivers of sustainable SME performance, particularly in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. The analysis shows that institutional gaps, limited resources, and publication imbalances have widened the sustainability knowledge divide between Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions. This paper contributes to the discourse on inclusive development by identifying future research opportunities and proposing the need for context-specific sustainability frameworks to strengthen SMEs’ role in achieving long-term sustainable growth.

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