Gisimenti, a popular business and entertainment hub in Kigali, will only operate as a car-free zone once a month, according to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Jean Chrysostome Ngabitsinze.

ALSO READ: City of Kigali mulls plans to revive Gisimenti car-free zone vibrancy

The decision was made in response to the decline in clientele, as businesses requested that the City of Kigali dedicate only one weekend every month to the car-free zone. Previously, the area was operating as a car-free zone during all weekends of the month.

KG 18 Avenue street, located in the Gisimenti area, was designated as a car-free zone on weekends to allow bars and restaurants to expand their outdoor seating areas. This move was aimed at increasing foot traffic and attracting more customers to the once-thriving location.

ALSO READ: Why has Gisimenti car-free zone lost its ‘vibe’?

However, the buzz that once surrounded the area eventually began to dwindle, leading to a sharp decline in foot traffic and revenue for many businesses in the Gisimenti car-free zone. Several establishments were forced to shut down, suffering significant losses.

To address the issue, Minister Ngabitsinze said that Gisimenti will be open to vehicles for three weekends per month and have a car-free zone at the end of the month, which could be effective starting this coming weekend.

Entertainment and events management firm, Sensitive Ltd, has been tasked with revitalizing the ailing Gisimenti car-free zone and restoring its vibrancy, in the hopes of reviving local businesses and attracting more investment.

"Our ultimate goal is to transform the area into an open market, where people can not only come for leisure and entertainment but also engage in shopping for a variety of products," said the event management firm's founder, Wilson Mugwena.

ALSO READ: New Gisimenti car-free zone draws mixed reactions

The company intends to host entertainment events, mostly in the form of monthly concerts, to attract a diverse crowd. The ultimate goal is to transform the area into an open market, where people can come for leisure, entertainment, and shopping for a variety of products.

Mayor of City of Kigali, Pudence Rubingisa, advised business owners to apply more innovation and creativity to attract clients. With the right strategies, the Gisimenti car-free zone could once again become a vibrant and thriving hub for both entertainment and commerce.