REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI) FOR THE OPERATION OF THE RESTAURANT AT NYANDUNGU ECO PARK, Managed by QA Venue Solutions Rwanda

Date:2^nd June 2025

Background

QA Venue Solutions Rwanda (QAVS), as the designated manager of Nyandungu Eco Park, is inviting qualified and experienced hospitality operators to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the operation of the park’s main restaurant.

Nyandungu Eco Park is a prominent ecological and recreational destination in Kigali, offering visitors a unique combination of green space, biodiversity, and cultural engagement. The park features walking trails, bird-watching areas, and educational installations, attracting a wide range of local and international visitors.

The restaurant within the park is envisioned as a central hub for culinary service and hospitality, offering fresh, sustainable, and locally inspired cuisine.

 Objective

The aim of this REOI is to identify an experienced restaurant operator with the capacity to:

• Manage and operate a high-quality restaurant in line with the park’s eco-conscious and visitor-centered mission.
• Offer food and beverage services that reflect sustainable practices and local culinary identity.
• Provide excellent customer service that complements the park’s overall visitor experience.

Context

The Nyandungu Eco-Park provides a space for residents and visitors to the city to explore and learn from nature and is part of Rwanda’s efforts to harness eco-tourism to restore biodiversity and conserve urban wetland ecosystems. The vision for Nyandungu Eco-Park is to preserve the ecological function of the wetland, improve air quality, create educational and recreational space, and promote sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the local community. The Eco-Park plays a critical role in preventing flooding, addressing pollution and are home to unique biodiversity. The 164-hectare eco-park features a medicinal garden, a Pope’s Garden, five catchment ponds, three recreation ponds, an information centre, a restaurant as well as 10km of walkways, bike and scooter lanes.

Scope of Work

The operator will be expected to:

• Provide high-quality food and beverages with a focus on local, organic, and sustainable ingredients.
• Ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations.
• Manage daily operations of the restaurant, including staffing, food preparation, customer service, and maintenance.
• Integrate environmentally friendly practices in operations (e.g., waste management, minimal plastic use, water and energy conservation).
• Coordinate with park management for events, promotions, and visitor services.
• Maintain the facility and surrounding areas to a high standard of cleanliness and aesthetics.
• Ensure the security of the guests within the facility and avail security systems
• Integrate technological services such as Point-of-Sale systems, online booking and reservations, etc)
• Ensure customers' service excellence and put in place a system to assess service satisfaction.
• Establish a branding and marketing plan in collaboration with the park management
•  Support Nyandungu Eco-Park community outreach programs

Eligibility Criteria

Interested companies must demonstrate:

• At least 5 years of experience operating a successful restaurant or food service business.
• Strong operational and financial capacity to manage a hospitality venue.
• Proven commitment to sustainable and locally sourced food practices.
• Legal registration and compliance with Rwandan food service regulations.
• Ability to deliver a service that aligns with the environmental and family-friendly values of Nyandungu Eco Park.

Submission Requirements

Interested parties must submit:

A cover letter expressing interest and suitability.

Company profile and relevant experience: Company Details

• Shareholders and their respective qualifications and experience along with Company profile (certificate of incorporation) and registration
• Names and locations of current operations managed
• Number of years in operation
• Annual turnover (RWF) per year for the last three years of food and beverage operating in Rwanda (if any)
• Concept proposal for the restaurant (max 3 pages), including sample menu ideas, sustainability practices, and
• customer experience strategy.
• A conceptual design of the restaurant set up
• Restaurant staffing and staff training plan
• Business registration certificate and tax clearance.
• Any additional supporting documents (e.g., testimonials, photos of past operations).
• Memberships/affiliations if any

Evaluation Process

EoI will be evaluated based on:

• Relevant experience and track record.
• Concept quality and alignment with park environmental, social and financial sustainability
• Operational and financial capability.
• Innovation and sustainability of the proposed offering.

Outline and Timeline of Tender process:

• Call for Expressions of Interest and Pre-qualification Information, closure 10:00am, 14^th June 2025,
• Formal location sites visit 3^rd to 7th June, 2025. Formal location sites visit 3rd to 7th June, 2025. Please contact the deputy Park Manager in advance to confirm visit via info@nyandunguecopark.rw , Tel: +250788436763. Short-listed bidders selected 16^th June 2025
• Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by NEP and proposals submitted by bidders 10:00am, 30^th June 2025
• Selection of Preferred and Back-up bidders by 1^st July 2025
• Final negotiation and signing of concession agreement Construction to start by 10^th July 2024
• Operations: 15^th July 2025.

General Information:

1. There is an unmet and growing demand for hospitality services (food and beverage within Nyandungu Eco-Park while enjoying the landscape.
2. Apart from holidays and high seasons, Nyandungu Eco-Park is busy all day and mainly on weekends.
3. Year-round access to the park by visitors.
4. Concession Agreement to be signed with NEP, in accordance with Rwanda’s Concession Guidelines for Protected Areas in Rwanda.
5. Concession fees will be used to fund park restoration and management, and support local communities, underpinning the ‘responsible tourism’ premium offered
6. Operator should be committed to the development of Brand Rwanda as a premier wildlife and leisure tourism destination, and supporting the Rwandan tourism industry through skills development, using Rwandan partners and suppliers, and local community upliftment.

Disclaimer: This Expression of Interest does not obligate NEP to select any party, nor to explain any decisions in this regard. The terms and time-lines above are indicative and may be changed by NEP. All expenses incurred in the preparation, of this submission, as well as any associated site visits to Nyandungu Eco-Park shall be for the interested party’s own account. NEP agrees not to disclose any confidential information contained in the submission to third parties unless expressly agreed by the interested party. The decision by the NEP management is final