Challenges of open access adoption in low-resource settings: Lessons from Tunisia

This study examines the adoption and impact of open access (OA) publishing in Tunisia. It uses Scopus data to analyse trends, citation metrics, alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and funding sources. Over 60% of Tunisian publications remain behind paywalls, limiting their visibility and impact. Hybrid Gold OA shows the highest citation advantage, while Gold OA offers limited benefits due to publication in lower-impact journals. Medicine, Computer Science, and Engineering lead in OA output. However, 60% of Gold and Hybrid Gold OA publications are not aligned with the SDGs, indicating that OA does not necessarily focus on SDG-related research. International collaboration, particularly with Saudi Arabia, significantly boosts OA adoption but is simultaneously associated with heightened integrity risks, a concern underscored by a dramatically increased retraction rate in collaborative outputs. Financial barriers, including high article processing charges (APCs) and reliance on institutional funding, hinder wider OA dissemination. This study recommends expanding OA agreements, supporting Diamond OA models, and encouraging highly impacted SDG-focused research. By addressing financial constraints and implementing strategic OA policies, Tunisia can enhance its global research visibility and contribute more effectively to sustainable development.