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Green jobs and green economic development in Kigali's construction value chain: Evidence from a firm survey

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  • Never, Babette
  • Stoecker, Alexander
  • Tsinda, Aime
  • Mujanama, Eric
  • Mugisha, Roger

Abstract

Green, circular buildings are crucial for climate change mitigation and resource efficiency, yet their employment impact in Sub-Saharan Africa remains unclear. This paper explores green job potential in Kigali, Rwanda—an urbanizing city with strong policy commitments and urgent housing needs. Employing a sequential mixed-methods design, we conducted 33 expert interviews and surveyed 546 firms across five construction value chain segments. We find that (1) many green jobs already exist, with 5.1% highly green and about 58% partly green based on practices performed; (2) green and circular practices are emerging through both policy support and grassroots innovation, (3) greening is positively, significantly correlated with employment growth for highly green firms, and (4) greening is significantly associated with improved job quality for all firms. Targeted support for firms in critical greening phases could boost job creation and quality. A mix of interventions is required to tackle cost competitiveness, skills and attitudes.

Suggested Citation

  • Never, Babette & Stoecker, Alexander & Tsinda, Aime & Mujanama, Eric & Mugisha, Roger, 2026. "Green jobs and green economic development in Kigali's construction value chain: Evidence from a firm survey," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:244:y:2026:i:c:s0921800926000297
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2026.108944
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    JEL classification:

    • J21 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Force and Employment, Size, and Structure
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • L74 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Primary Products and Construction - - - Construction

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