The urgent need to address environmental issues has become a focal point in global discussions. There is a growing interest in finding innovative strategies to reduce environmental degradation, especially in highly polluting industries like construction. This study focused on the adoption of green supply chain management practices among small construction companies in Angola, using a grounded theory approach. We conducted in-depth interviews with professionals from 12 small firms to understand their experiences, perceptions, and strategies related to sustainable practices. The results reveal several barriers to implementing sustainable practices, such as financial constraints, lack of knowledge, and economic instability. Other challenges include limited finances, the high costs of green technologies, and insufficient training and awareness about GSCM. In addition, economic factors like inflation worsened these issues, making it hard to prioritize long-term sustainability investments. The study also highlighted the crucial role of governmental support through regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and training programs in facilitating GSCM adoption. The benefits of adopting GSCM practices were evident, including long-term cost savings, improved efficiency, and natural resource conservation, which provide strong incentives for adoption. The resulting grounded theory model suggests that a comprehensive approach incorporating targeted financial incentives, capacity-building initiatives, and robust regulations could effectively encourage the adoption of sustainable practices. This framework has significant implications for promoting environmentally responsible construction in Angola and other developing nations dealing with sustainable industrialization. The study addresses a critical research gap by focusing on small enterprises in an underexplored context and provides valuable insights that can inform future research and practical interventions in similar settings.