How Can African Nations Effectively Develop a Space Industry? Positioning Ghana Using the Dual Double Diamond Model

Abstract Although the economic and socioeconomic returns of space-based applications have been well documented in space-faring nations, African nations are yet to leverage space-assets effectively. Given the potentially significant returns from developing a strong space industry, an assessment of capabilities and guidelines on how to effectively leverage space technologies can set the foundation for nations to build policies. Using the dual double diamond model, developed by Cho et al. , Ghana's competitive capability in the space industry is positioned relative to Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa. The domestic and international components of the dual double diamond framework were assessed with a simplified quantitative model based on interval scales. Each dimension was broken down into causal variable components, which were then quantified through measurable proxy variables and weighted by space industry members. Results indicate that Ghana is neither at a real disadvantage nor at an advantage toward its competitors, apart from South Africa, which ranks more than two points higher than Ghana. The development from traditional space to “NewSpace” has expanded opportunities available to Ghana and can help to mitigate some of its shortcomings .