Exploring Circular Economy Awareness, Perceptions and Practices in Selected Urban Slums in Kigali City of Rwanda

The circular economy (CE) has garnered much attention due to its potential to contribute to sustainable development. While CE initiatives, such as container-based toilets, waste upcycling, biomass energy generation, and circular building materials, hold promise for improving infrastructure and economic opportunities, particularly in slums, there are different and at times contradictory perceptions of the concept of CE. Leveraging CE potentials thus requires a better understanding of CE awareness and perceptions. To explore CE in the context of Rwandan slums, this book chapter sought to answer the following two research questions: What is the level of CE awareness and which perceptions prevail in Kigali’s slums? What are the key CE-related practices in Kigali’s slums? Fifteen key informant interviews and 12 focus group discussions were conducted with stakeholders in the slums of Kigali’s districts Kicukiro, Gasabo, and Nyarugenge. The findings reveal that circularity is present in the slums, albeit informally, with little emphasis on business and entrepreneurship. Repurposing emerged as the most prominent circular practice. Besides, the study uncovered a significant skills gap in waste sorting, which is critical as Rwanda seeks to implement a national policy requiring waste sorting at the source.