This past weekend, Kigali offered a glimpse of the entertainment destination it could become. Across the city, live music, DJ performances and FIFA World Cup watch parties drew large crowds, while restaurants, bars and entertainment venues were noticeably busier than usual. For the duration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) temporarily extended operating hours, allowing hospitality and entertainment establishments to stay open until 3 a.m. from Monday to Thursday and 4 a.m. from Friday to Sunday and public holidays. With the tournament now over, venues have reverted to normal operating hours. But the experience has revived a familiar question: Is Kigali doing enough to position itself as an entertainment and nightlife destination? ALSO READ: Kigali on radar as Africa's next creative frontier Some compare Kigali with Kampala or Nairobi and argue that it feels too quiet after dark. Others insist that perception is outdated, pointing to a growing calendar of concerts, festivals, comedy shows, cultural events and international performances. The reality lies somewhere in between. Kigali is not short of entertainment. The bigger challenge is building an ecosystem that is more visible, diverse, commercially sustainable and attractive to both residents and visitors. A growing entertainment scene Arthur Nkusi, founder of ArthurNation, content creator and former organiser of Comedy Night, rejects the notion that Kigali is boring. He argues that much of the city's entertainment scene now lives online. Event organisers rely heavily on social media to promote concerts, parties and other experiences, meaning those who are not digitally connected can easily miss what is happening. The younger generation, particularly Gen Z, rarely misses these events because they are constantly connected and always in the know, Nkusi says. His point is reflected in the city's growing leisure offering. Kigali promotes major venues such as BK Arena and Canal Olympia alongside outdoor recreation areas and entertainment hubs like Biryogo and Gisimenti. Restaurants and bars have also expanded outdoor experiences in recent years. The issue, therefore, is not simply the availability of entertainment, but its visibility, coordination and scale. ALSO READ: From scratch: How Rwanda’s creative industry evolved over the past 30 years From isolated events to a stronger industry For Remmy Lubega, founder of RG Consult and former organiser of Kigali Jazz Junction, the industry still has significant room to grow. He points to limited visibility, an imbalance between supply and demand, and inadequate support for local organisers and creators as key obstacles. There is often a disconnect between what audiences want and what is offered. At the same time, organisers struggle to access the sponsorship, partnerships and investment needed to scale up. Entertainment is also much more than performers. It depends on promoters, event managers, sound and lighting companies, photographers, videographers, designers, marketers, ticketing platforms, venues, transport providers, security firms and sponsors. Weakness in any part of that value chain affects the entire experience. Better coordination among these players could help Kigali evolve from hosting successful individual events to sustaining a vibrant year-round entertainment economy. The question of operating hours Operating hours remain one of the most debated issues. Lubega notes that many clubgoers arrive around 11 p.m. or midnight, while venues are expected to close by 1 a.m. Concert audiences also tend to arrive late, leaving organisers with limited time to recover the high costs of staging events. The World Cup offered a useful case study. Temporary extensions demonstrated both strong consumer demand and the wider economic benefits that later operating hours can generate under appropriate safety, noise-control and public-order regulations. ALSO READ: Researchers unveil practical solutions to transform Rwanda's creative industry This does not mean every venue should remain open until dawn. Rather, policymakers could consider a more flexible framework that distinguishes between ordinary bars and restaurants, large concerts, festivals, sporting events and designated entertainment districts. Such an approach would give businesses greater certainty while maintaining safeguards around public safety, noise and responsible alcohol consumption. Local talent must remain central Lubega also believes Kigali should place greater trust in local talent. International performers attract audiences, raise standards and strengthen Rwanda's regional profile. But they should complement—not overshadow—local artists. Visitors increasingly seek authentic cultural experiences, from music and food to fashion and live performances. This is particularly important for tourism. Visit Rwanda already promotes festivals, cultural experiences, music and fashion as part of the country's tourism offering. The next step is strengthening the link between tourism and entertainment so that conference delegates, business travellers and tourists can easily discover what is happening across the city and extend their stay. ALSO READ: Nightlife businesses urge longer operating hours during festive season The Rwanda Convention Bureau already supports organisers with venues, partnerships, marketing and event planning. It could play an even bigger role in connecting Rwanda's meetings industry with its broader entertainment economy. Making entertainment easier to find One practical improvement would be a comprehensive citywide entertainment calendar. Today, information about events is scattered across Instagram pages, WhatsApp groups and organisers' networks. A single, reliable digital platform listing concerts, comedy shows, exhibitions, festivals, sporting events, cultural performances and family activities would benefit residents, tourists, hotels, conference organisers and transport providers alike. ALSO READ: Why investing in creative industry value chains matters Such a platform, developed jointly by the City of Kigali, tourism agencies, venues and private organisers, would go a long way in addressing one of the industry's biggest challenges: visibility. Financing creativity The sector also needs easier access to finance. Earlier this year, Bank of Kigali launched BKreative, an initiative developed with the Ministry of Youth and Arts that offers eligible creatives financing of up to Rwf1 billion. The initiative reflects growing recognition that creativity is not merely a cultural activity but an investable economic sector. For entertainment, that should translate into greater support for promoters and organisers, who often shoulder substantial financial risks before an event even begins. Improved access to finance, sponsorship and business development services would encourage organisers to build recurring events instead of relying primarily on occasional headline concerts. ALSO READ: Major boost for creatives as new contemporary art space opens The opportunity ahead Speaking at the closing of the 2026 Ubumuntu Arts Festival, Minister of State for Youth and Arts Sandrine Umutoni described the creative sector as a driver of jobs, economic growth and national identity. That vision is equally relevant to Kigali's entertainment industry. Kigali does not need to imitate Kampala or Nairobi. Its opportunity lies in developing an entertainment identity that reflects its own strengths. The city can remain clean, safe and organised while becoming more vibrant after dark. It can host major concerts alongside intimate live music, comedy, street food, fashion, sport and cultural experiences. And it can continue attracting international performers while ensuring local talent remains at the centre. The debate, therefore, should not be whether Kigali is boring. A more important question is what kind of entertainment capital the city wants to become. ALSO READ: The unending debate on noise pollution: What is the impact on Kigali’s nightlife? The foundations already exist: modern venues, a growing tourism industry, international events, a young population and increasing public and private investment in the creative economy. The next phase will require stronger coordination, better promotion, greater investment in local creators and organisers, a more visible entertainment calendar and regulations that reflect the realities of a modern entertainment industry. If those pieces come together, Kigali will not need to compete by being louder than other cities. It will stand out by confidently showcasing its own distinctive entertainment experience.
