Research Tools for African Scholars

Discover essential software, databases and resources to enhance your research productivity across all disciplines.

200+ tools
85% free access
Research tools illustration
Quick filters: Free tools Open source African developed Low bandwidth Offline access

Browse Tools by Category

Literature Search

Databases & discovery tools
Writing

Authoring & reference tools
Data Analysis

Statistical & visualization tools
Collaboration

Team & project management

Essential Research Tools

Free
Zotero

Zotero

Reference management tool

Windows Mac Linux

Collect, organize, cite, and share research sources with this powerful open-source tool.

  • Automatic citation generation
  • PDF metadata extraction
  • Browser integration
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Free
RStudio

RStudio

Statistical computing environment

Windows Mac Linux

Integrated development environment for R, with tools for plotting, history, debugging and workspace management.

  • Data visualization capabilities
  • Reproducible research tools
  • Package development
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AfricArXiv

AfricArXiv

African research repository

Web-based

Open access repository for African research outputs, providing visibility and discoverability.

  • Free to upload research
  • DOI assignment
  • Multilingual support
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Free
Overleaf

Overleaf

Online LaTeX editor

Web-based

Collaborative writing and publishing tool that makes the whole process of writing, editing and producing scientific documents easier.

  • Real-time collaboration
  • Journal templates
  • Track changes
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Tool Comparison: Reference Managers

Tool Cost Platforms Collaboration Storage Best For
Zotero Free Windows, Mac, Linux, Web Yes 300MB free, paid upgrades Individual researchers, small teams
Mendeley Free + Premium Windows, Mac, Linux, Web, Mobile Yes 2GB free, paid upgrades PDF management, social features
EndNote Paid Windows, Mac Limited Unlimited with online library Advanced citation needs, large teams
Citavi Free + Paid Windows, Web Yes 100MB free, paid upgrades German-speaking researchers

Comparison of popular reference management tools for academic research

African-developed Research Tools

Akuko
Akuko Data Platform

Nigerian-developed platform for collecting, analyzing and visualizing African economic data.

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African R&D
African R&D Monitor

South African research database tracking innovation outputs across the continent.

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Mawazo
Mawazo Data Explorer

Kenyan-built tool for visualizing African development indicators and research trends.

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Getting Started with Research Tools

Video Tutorials

Step-by-step guides for popular research tools like Zotero, RStudio and Overleaf.

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Tool Comparison Guides

Detailed comparisons to help you choose the right tools for your needs.

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Low-Bandwidth Solutions

Tools and strategies for researchers with limited internet access.

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Recommend Tools for Our Directory

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