Businesses should urge themselves and each other to operate throughout the night when financially feasible. Kigali is long known as a city that goes to sleep early and wakes up yawning. As is often said, though, times are changing and the Kigali City Council has got in line with the times by approving city businesses to stay open throughout the night.

The hallmark of any cosmopolitan capital is that goods and services can be found at any time. KCC obviously knows the importance of this.

Businesses, especially restaurants and small eateries must be encouraged and given incentives to stay open throughout the night. Since businesses have been closing so early in the country, an entire market has been overlooked.

Nightlife is growing in Kigali and thus with it comes a market for not only late-night food, but a variety of businesses that cater to Kigali socialites.

Rwandans must remember that once businesses from other countries in the East African Community begin making their way through Rwanda’s borders, it is going to be a literal fight to the teeth as more seasoned veterans will take advantage of these absences in the economy.

It is a good thing that as Kigali City celebrates 100 years, all the hallmarks that show it has come of age are in place. The realisation that businesses lock up early even where clients are still up, and taking steps to set things right, is such a positive indication.

The entertainment industry especially should take full advantage, seeing that the right policies and conditions are being made in their favour.

A visit to other capitals is never complete without getting a taste of those cities’ night life; and since tourism is a leading foreign exchange earner, let us give our tourists the best Kigali experience possible.

This can never be possible when all would-be entertainment places close shop as early as eight o’clock.

Ends