RDB seeks operator for Kigali Cultural Village after Canal Olympia exit

Months after the closure of Canal Olympia at the Kigali Cultural Village (KCV) following a management transition, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) has launched a search for a new investor and operator to take over the facility. ALSO READ: Cinema culture at a crossroads: Can it survive the streaming age? In a call for expression of interest published on Tuesday, June 9, RDB invited investors to submit proposals to develop, finance, operate and manage the Kigali Cultural Village, a cultural and entertainment complex located on Rebero hill, Kicukiro District. The Rwanda Development Board (RDB) invites local, regional and international investors and developers to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to develop, finance, operate and manage the Kigali Cultural Village (KCV). RDB seeks innovative, commercially viable proposals to transform KCV into a leading destination for tourism, culture and events, the notice reads. This comes after Canal Olympia, an enternment brand owned by Group Vivendi Africa, ceased theatre operations at the facility December 2025, ending five years of management. The Kigali Cultural Village was established as part of a partnership between RDB and France-based Group Vivendi to develop a modern cultural and entertainment hub in Kigali. Since opening in 2021, the facility has hosted film screenings, concerts, conferences and community events. Besides its cinema hall, the complex features a large outdoor amphitheatre with a capacity of up to 15,000 people, conference spaces and recreational facilities. The closure left Kigali without a fully operational cinema venue as other players had also ceased operations, creating a gap in the city's film exhibition sector. Interested investors have until July 15, 2026, to submit their proposals, according to RDB.

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RDB seeks operator for Kigali Cultural Village after Canal Olympia exit