A South African company, QA Venue Solutions Rwanda has signed a seven-year agreement with the Rwandan government to manage the Kigali Arena, a 10,000-seater multipurpose arena.

The arena which was opened in August 2019 is the latest addition to Kigali’s infrastructure aimed at establishing Kigali as a host for international conferences and events.

The government in October last year issued a public notice calling for bids for the management of the arena. At the time, it had emerged that few if any local companies had experience managing facilities like Kigali Arena. 

Under the agreement, QA Venue Solutions will work with local and international federations, event organizers, Professional Conference Organizers, promoters and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) industry to develop a robust events calendar diversifying to include sports for the Kigali Arena.

QA Venue Solutions will invest $ 2.4 million and aims to host a multitude of remarkable and memorable events.

According to the agreement, the company is also expected to integrate various online and physical systems to better the workability of the Kigali Arena such as online ticketing, facility management systems, Sound and audiovisual systems, work with ‘Made in Rwanda’ brands/products to ensure all retail points in the facility are full and operational to the public and continuously adapting the venue based on market requirements.

QA Venue Solutions is also expected to work with local and international stakeholders to develop a backstage academy, aimed at developing local skills in the events industry.

Didier Shema Maboko, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports said the development is aimed at support plans of positioning the facility as a top African destination for indoor sports tournaments and other events.

QA Venue Solutions Director, Kyle Schofield said that they seek to develop the Kigali Arena as a hub for holding events in Rwanda, offering state of the art space for companies to host sporting events, banquets, conferences, award evenings, fitness events, children’s events and exhibitions/fairs.

"We want to invite local, regional and international businesses to partner with us to find the right opportunities to further their business growth through the Kigali Arena,” Schofield said.

The firm which has its origins in South Africa has presence in three African countries, including Rwanda and has been involved in major sports events across Africa as well as been involved in stadium management.