Full Text Available
Note: Clicking the button above will open the full text document at the original institutional repository in a new window.
A new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for Sub-Saharan African economies: an implementation process derived from a case study of MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array projects
This research develops a sustainable implementation model for African developing nations undertaking space science and technology (SST) programmes, using the MeerKAT project and the forthcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA) as central case studies. Econometric analysis of Sub Saharan African (SSA) ec...
Saved in:
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English English |
| Published: |
Department of Electrical Engineering
2025
|
| Subjects: | |
| Tags: |
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1867613201979408384 |
|---|---|
| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Mitchell, Carla |
| author2 | Nicolls, Frederick |
| author_browse | Mitchell, Carla Nicolls, Frederick |
| author_facet | Nicolls, Frederick Mitchell, Carla |
| author_sort | Mitchell, Carla |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | This research develops a sustainable implementation model for African developing nations undertaking space science and technology (SST) programmes, using the MeerKAT project and the forthcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA) as central case studies. Econometric analysis of Sub Saharan African (SSA) economies reveals that standard economic inputs namely labour, capital, and technology, are insufficient to plan for or predict growth in this context. Instead, a broader set of socio-economic variables, often overlooked in conventional models, must be considered. Panel data from 48 SSA countries informed the construction of four composite variables—access to finance, employment, education, and technology efficiency—which more accurately reflect the region's structural and cultural conditions. Findings indicate that SST investments have an inconsistent impact on labour productivity, largely due to inefficiencies in technology absorption and local capacity utilisation. In response, this research proposes a three-phase Space Science and Technology Framework (SSTIF) made up of the Impact Causality Cycle (ICC) which establishes causal links between SST investments and socio-economic outcomes, emphasising effective technology deployment. The Political Decision Matrix (PDM) which guides sustainability-oriented investment planning by evaluating socio economic benefits, as demonstrated through the MeerKAT project. A result of the PDM case study is that socio economic investment reduces project risk and improves sustainability. The Science-Driven Economic Benefit (SDEB) which model translates these insights into a practical implementation cycle, tested through a detailed application to the MeerKAT case. Together, these phases form an integrated pathway from theory to decision-making to implementation. The SKA project, as an expansion of MeerKAT, validates the framework's scalability and relevance, reinforcing the case for strategic SST investment in SSA. Ultimately, this thesis contributes a practical roadmap for policymakers—linking science infrastructure to inclusive economic development and long-term investment sustainability. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42432 |
| institution | University of Cape Town (South Africa) |
| language | English eng |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:32:21.936Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Department of Electrical Engineering |
| publisherStr | Department of Electrical Engineering |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository |
| spelling | oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/42432 A new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for Sub-Saharan African economies: an implementation process derived from a case study of MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array projects Mitchell, Carla Nicolls, Frederick Martinez, Peter Square Kilometre Array SKA Sub-Saharan African SSA This research develops a sustainable implementation model for African developing nations undertaking space science and technology (SST) programmes, using the MeerKAT project and the forthcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA) as central case studies. Econometric analysis of Sub Saharan African (SSA) economies reveals that standard economic inputs namely labour, capital, and technology, are insufficient to plan for or predict growth in this context. Instead, a broader set of socio-economic variables, often overlooked in conventional models, must be considered. Panel data from 48 SSA countries informed the construction of four composite variables—access to finance, employment, education, and technology efficiency—which more accurately reflect the region's structural and cultural conditions. Findings indicate that SST investments have an inconsistent impact on labour productivity, largely due to inefficiencies in technology absorption and local capacity utilisation. In response, this research proposes a three-phase Space Science and Technology Framework (SSTIF) made up of the Impact Causality Cycle (ICC) which establishes causal links between SST investments and socio-economic outcomes, emphasising effective technology deployment. The Political Decision Matrix (PDM) which guides sustainability-oriented investment planning by evaluating socio economic benefits, as demonstrated through the MeerKAT project. A result of the PDM case study is that socio economic investment reduces project risk and improves sustainability. The Science-Driven Economic Benefit (SDEB) which model translates these insights into a practical implementation cycle, tested through a detailed application to the MeerKAT case. Together, these phases form an integrated pathway from theory to decision-making to implementation. The SKA project, as an expansion of MeerKAT, validates the framework's scalability and relevance, reinforcing the case for strategic SST investment in SSA. Ultimately, this thesis contributes a practical roadmap for policymakers—linking science infrastructure to inclusive economic development and long-term investment sustainability. 2025-12-11T10:38:01Z 2025-12-11T10:38:01Z 2025 2025-12-11T10:34:39Z Thesis / Dissertation Doctoral PhD http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42432 en eng application/pdf Department of Electrical Engineering Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment University of Cape Town |
| spellingShingle | Square Kilometre Array SKA Sub-Saharan African SSA Mitchell, Carla A new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for Sub-Saharan African economies: an implementation process derived from a case study of MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array projects |
| thesis_degree_str | Doctoral |
| title | A new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for Sub-Saharan African economies: an implementation process derived from a case study of MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array projects |
| title_full | A new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for Sub-Saharan African economies: an implementation process derived from a case study of MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array projects |
| title_fullStr | A new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for Sub-Saharan African economies: an implementation process derived from a case study of MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array projects |
| title_full_unstemmed | A new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for Sub-Saharan African economies: an implementation process derived from a case study of MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array projects |
| title_short | A new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for Sub-Saharan African economies: an implementation process derived from a case study of MeerKAT and the Square Kilometre Array projects |
| title_sort | new systemic model for the implementation of sustainable space science and technology investment for sub saharan african economies an implementation process derived from a case study of meerkat and the square kilometre array projects |
| topic | Square Kilometre Array SKA Sub-Saharan African SSA |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42432 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mitchellcarla anewsystemicmodelfortheimplementationofsustainablespacescienceandtechnologyinvestmentforsubsaharanafricaneconomiesanimplementationprocessderivedfromacasestudyofmeerkatandthesquarekilometrearrayprojects AT mitchellcarla newsystemicmodelfortheimplementationofsustainablespacescienceandtechnologyinvestmentforsubsaharanafricaneconomiesanimplementationprocessderivedfromacasestudyofmeerkatandthesquarekilometrearrayprojects |