The final night of the year is often marked by celebration, reflection, and renewed ambitions, and across Rwanda, the transition into the New Year was no different. As the clock struck midnight, fireworks lit up the skies over Kigali and several other parts of the country, signalling the close of one year and the beginning of another.

From Canal Olympia in Rebero and Kigali City Hall to Kigali Pelé Stadium, Kigali Convention Centre, and Kigali Heights, crowds gathered to witness the colourful displays that marked the farewell to 2025 and the welcoming of 2026.

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Elsewhere, many Rwandans ushered in the New Year in churches, family gatherings, and community spaces, choosing prayer, music, and quiet reflection over public festivities.

For many, the New Year is a moment to look back on milestones achieved and lessons learned, while setting goals for the months ahead. Several individuals who spoke to The New Times reflected on the past year and shared their hopes for 2026 across different sectors.

In the entertainment industry, artiste Juno Kizigenza described the year as a defining period in his fast-rising career. Though he has been in the spotlight for just five years, the artiste said the past year stood out as one of growth and fulfillment, highlighted by a concert celebrating his five-year journey in music.

"This was a good year for me. I released songs that resonated with many people and had memorable moments with IBIRURA(his fanbase) during concerts across the country,” Kizigenza said.

Throughout the year, Kizigenza performed at major events, including the Iwacu Na Muzika festival, which toured the country and featured multiple local artistes. He also took the stage at the long-awaited Davido’s 5ive album tour concert at the BK Arena.

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Looking ahead, Kizigenza revealed that a new album is in the final stages of production and is expected to be released in early 2026.

"I can’t share many details yet, but the album is ready. We are just doing the final touches, and if everything goes well, it will be out early next year,” he said, adding that he is also excited to perform at the upcoming Mavado and Shenseea concert at the BK Arena on January 3.

In the technology sector, Audace Niyonkuru, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Umuganda, said the past year marked notable progress for Rwanda’s tech ecosystem, particularly in artificial intelligence(AI).

He highlighted major events such as the Global AI Summit on Africa, held in April, which brought together more than 1,000 participants to discuss Africa’s growing role in the global AI landscape. He also cited the Deep Learning Indaba 2025 gathering as another key moment that connected researchers from industry and academia.

"There has been more public discourse around AI, whether in Parliament, government institutions, or businesses. This growing awareness and focus on AI literacy is very encouraging,” Niyonkuru said, noting that the public should be educated on the importance of AI but also the threats it poses as its adoption increases.

Reflecting on Digital Umuganda’s growth, Niyonkuru noted that the company expanded its footprint across the continent, engaging in projects in countries including Ethiopia, Benin, Kenya, and Tanzania.

"This year laid the groundwork for continental expansion. We implemented several projects across Africa, and it has been a strong year for both research and our technical teams,” he added.

Looking ahead, he said the company remains ambitious about increasing AI adoption and deepening engagement across Africa, positioning itself as a pan-African player leveraging Rwanda’s reputation for innovation.

For young professionals, the New Year also carries personal significance. Anaïs Simbi Nkunda, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Centerpiece Group, a Kigali-based decoration and events company, described the past year as one of growth, gratitude, and learning.

"I thank God for bringing me through the year. Prayer has been key,” she said.

"In my line of work, presence matters a lot because I interact with clients daily. That experience helped me grow both professionally and personally.”

Nkunda cited graduating from university as one of her proudest achievements of the year. As she looks ahead to 2026, she hopes to continue learning, pursue a master’s degree in a management-related field, seek a job promotion, and travel.

In governance, Ange Sebutege, Huye district mayor, said the celebration of the new year serves as a moment to reflect on key achievements made during the past year.

Sebutege highlighted improvements in road infrastructure, including roads linking industrial areas and about four kilometres of developed urban roads. He also noted the completion of sports facilities such as Cyarwa Community Centre, as well as youth centres in Ngoma and Mukura sectors.

In education, he said, enrolment at the University of Rwanda’s Huye Campus has increased from around 6,000 to about 12,000 students, creating new business opportunities for the local community. In healthcare, the installation of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at the University Teaching Hospital of Butare (CHUB) was cited as a major milestone for Huye and neighbouring districts.

As fireworks faded, many Rwandans stepped into the New Year with renewed determination, hopeful that the months ahead would bring progress, opportunity, and fulfilment both individually and as a nation.