A delegation of Nigerian investors in the entertainment industry is in Rwanda working on a reality TV show dubbed ‘The Residence Africa’ slated to be hosted in Kigali next year. They are representing ‘African Network Entertainment Limited, a Nigerian company that organises the annual reality TV show. The company plans to open offices in Rwanda this year and filmmaker Willy Ndahiro will be representing the company in Rwanda. The will begin on February 13, 2022, where a total of 24 contestants, 12 males and 12 females, from 12 countries across Africa will gather in Kigali ahead of the show. Like Big Brother Africa, each country will provide at least two contestants for the contest. Each of them will be living in an isolated house while trying to avoid being evicted by viewers and ultimately winning a large cash prize at the end of the show. Two best performing contestants will be awarded. However, Ndahiro said the show’s format is a bit different from Big Brother as the show will be organised in line with respecting Rwanda cultural values. With the Africa Residence reality show, contestants will spend 48 days together but they won’t sleep together. “They will be meeting at a restaurant, swimming pool or any other gatherings but they won’t sleep in the same rooms as it happens in Big Brother Africa. Men will stay in their own rooms and women in their rooms. We want to avoid violating our cultural values. Rwanda will host The Residence Africa reality show for the next three years. Organisers could extend the show for another three years depending on how successful it will be in Rwanda before shifting to another country. The show will be aired on a yet-to-be-confirmed broadcasting channel, as organisers continue negotiations with different established televisions. “We can’t confirm which station will air the show yet because no agreement has been reached yet. But we are negotiating with DSTV and the negotiations are in advanced stages,” Ndahiro said. He added that the show is not what Rwandans are used to, but it must happen for a new experience to meet people from different countries and learn the different cultures from other African countries. Ndahiro said Rwanda will benefit from the reality TV show because it will give the country big visibility as it will be followed by hundreds of millions across the globe. “The show will hopefully boost the ‘Visit Rwanda’ campaign. It will be an opportunity to showcase the beauty of the country hence attracting people to visit the country,” he said. Rwanda, as the host, will be having a representative in the Residence Africa next year. The last time a Rwandan attended a reality TV show was in 2014 when comedian Arthur Nkusi and musician Frankie Joe contested in the Big Brother Africa season 9 held in Johannesburg.
