Drivers and barriers to adopting sustainable building materials: evidence from construction professionals in Kigali City, Rwanda

Abstract The construction sector plays a pivotal role in advancing sustainable development but remains a major contributor to environmental degradation. In Rwanda, rapid urbanization and projected increases in building-related carbon emissions underscore the urgency of adopting sustainable building materials. This study investigates the drivers and barriers to adopting of Sustainable building materials among construction professionals in Kigali City, Rwanda. Using a qualitative research design with stratified purposive sampling, data were collected from architects, construction engineers, quantity surveyors, and building developers through questionnaires, semi-structured interview and document analysis. Data were analysed thematically using NVivo 15 software. The results reveal five major drivers, including regulatory frameworks, economic incentives, environmental awareness, social and cultural values, and technological advancements. Conversely, adoption of sustainable building materials is constrained by awareness and knowledge gaps, technical and training limitations, high upfront costs, supply chain weaknesses, regulatory and policy shortcomings, and cultural resistance to change. The findings indicate that regulatory and economic drivers are the most influential in shaping adoption, while awareness and financial constraints remain the most persistent obstacles. The study contributes to sustainability literature by highlighting the importance of context-specific dynamics, showing that in Kigali City, regulatory and economic drivers are critical drivers to adopting sustainable building materials. Policy implications include strengthening enforcement of green building regulations, expanding local manufacturing, establishing strong certification systems, and integrating sustainability into education and training. Addressing these barriers is critical to bridging the gap between Rwanda’s sustainability ambitions and on-the-ground practices, thereby accelerating the transition to a resilient and climate-conscious built environment.