Twiringiyimana, Remy;
(2025)
Fostering knowledge space actor interactions in an
emerging place-based innovation ecosystem:
The case of Kigali Innovation City.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
National Innovation Systems (NIS) are important for societal development, and how these systems play out is a function not only of who the actors in the system are, but also of how these actors interact at multiple levels. The critical question of ‘why’ weak actor interactions persists as a fundamental factor underpinning perpetual dysfunctionality of NIS in developing countries, has been widely debated in numerous science, technology and innovation (ST&I) policy studies, and a range of reasons have been unearthed. This thesis wades into these debates deploying the triple helix and innovation ecosystems frameworks to undertake a critical, real-time study of actor interactions using Rwanda as a case study country. Taking a Critical Realist approach, this thesis examines Kigali Innovation City (KIC), a place-based innovation ecosystem within Rwanda’s broader NIS, to investigate three interrelated research questions: How do academic and research organisations located in KIC and in its proximity interact with other actors for research, innovation and learning (RIL)? To what extent do these interactions contribute (or not) to KIC’s development? And What are the possible pathways for fostering these interactions? Given the complex nature of KIC, as an evolving national ST&I policy flagship intervention in a peri-urban setting, this study takes a two-phased research approach to explore the research questions. Drawing on data collected from semi-structured interviews and desk research, and based on thematic analysis, this thesis identifies the KIC Knowledge Space actors and their interactions for RIL. It interrogates the suitability of the mainstream conceptual frameworks, such as NIS and triple helix system, originating in the global North for Rwandan context − particularly in relation to KIC’s local embeddedness − despite their central role in shaping the national ST&I policy. The thesis thus develops a context-specific, integrated conceptual framework – undergirded by an innovation ecosystems approach – offering fresh insights into pathways for understanding and fostering actor interactions in emerging place-based innovation ecosystems, taking a nuanced approach involving ST&I policy, urban context, and science diplomacy dimensions. The thesis argues empirically and conceptually that institutional and functional (dis) connectedness often exhibited by Rwanda’s NIS are deeply rooted in actor agency, collaboration, coevolution, and contestation.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Fostering knowledge space actor interactions in an emerging place-based innovation ecosystem: The case of Kigali Innovation City |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2025. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > STEaPP |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10213458 |
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