Although Rwandan artistes have long embraced Kiswahili in their music, the trend is now taking a new turn—sweeping across the gospel scene in Rwanda. Today, several top gospel singers in the country are not only releasing songs entirely in Swahili but also earning international recognition for them. But what’s driving this growing wave? ALSO READ: Alarm Ministries to celebrate 26 years of worship Earlier this year, Israel Mbonyi’s Sikiliza earned him the Best International Worship Artist award at the Tanzania Gospel Music Awards. The song’s recognition was largely attributed to its Swahili composition. The 2024 single has garnered over 22 million YouTube views so far, particularly resonating with audiences in Tanzania and Kenya. This followed a series of concerts in Tanzania, including one at Mlimani, where the award was announced. His earlier Swahili hit Nina Siri, composed in the same language, remains the most viewed Rwandan gospel song on YouTube, with over 85 million views. In recent years, several Rwandan gospel artists have followed suit. Vestine and Dorcas earned nearly 10 million views with their Swahili song Emmanuel, while the likes of Chryso Ndasingwa, Elie Bahati, and Tonzi have also broadened their reach through Swahili compositions. Language as a regional connector The New Times spoke to industry figures and gospel artists to understand the momentum behind this shift. For renowned gospel singer Chryso Ndasingwa, the connection is both musical and spiritual. Ndasingwa revealed that he even had to take Swahili courses to master the language for his worship service. “Swahili carries a beautiful rhythm and depth that make worship feel very expressive. It’s a language that connects so many believers across East Africa—almost 500 million people. Personally, Swahili is something bigger, a regional voice of praise that transcends borders,” he said. Ndasingwa said that he sees songs in Swahili as a bridge that connects people emotionally and even those that don’t speak the language fluently. “Swahili songs seem to bridge people emotionally—even those who don’t speak it fluently can feel the anointing and message,” “Rwandan audiences have become more open to Swahili gospel, and regionally, it helps our artists connect with new listeners and collaborations. It’s beautiful to watch that growth,” he said. He revealed that he is currently working on new projects that blend Swahili, and English, and believes this linguistic diversity allows Rwandan gospel to reach hearts across the region. A veteran’s perspective: This didn’t start today Clementine Uwitonze, who is commonly known in gospel music as Tonzi, is one of Rwanda’s most respected gospel voices. She notes that the trend is not entirely new but the scale is. “In my opinion, Rwandan gospel artists did not start making songs in Swahili just recently. Even before the rise of social media, there were already some doing so, including myself,” Tonzi said. However, she said, the digital age has amplified the impact dramatically. “Today it has reached a new level because the internet, especially YouTube, has made it easier for artists to share their music with many people in a short time. This expanded the market. It’s a very good thing Swahili is spoken by many people, especially in East Africa, so the message goes further.” Tonzi emphasized that Swahili releases have opened doors to artistes not just spiritually, but practically. “The more songs are viewed and loved, the more doors open in different places, and this can even lead to tangible financial benefits. Artists can live better lives and continue producing more music, which supports their ministry sustainably,” she said. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Jesca Mucyowera’s double album launch moves worshippers at KCEV A strategic move for global reach Gospel artiste Elie Bahati, largely known for his hit song ‘Uko Ngusabira’, says that the Swahili shift is both artistic and strategic. “Kiswahili is the most spoken language in Africa and among the top globally,” he said. “Strategically speaking, it reaches a wider international audience than our local language, Kinyarwanda.” Bahati also pointed out the recent success of Israel Mbonyi and Papi Clever & Dorcas, whose Swahili gospel hits have dominated playlists across East Africa, driving others to follow suit. “Since their songs found huge success in the region, almost everyone now is following that direction, hoping to experience the same impact,” he noted. For many Rwandan gospel artists, singing in Swahili is not just a trend—it’s a bridge. It connects them to the broader East African gospel movement and amplifies their message of faith and unity. As Ndasingwa puts it, the goal is to create worship that speaks across cultures. “Using Kinyarwanda, Swahili, and English together allows us to touch hearts across different regions,” he explained. The rise of Kiswahili in Rwanda Swahili, or Kiswahili, is a Bantu language that originated along the East African coast and has become a major language of communication across the region. Rwanda adopted Swahili as its fourth official language in 2017, alongside Kinyarwanda, English, and French. The decision aligned with the country’s broader integration into the East African Community (EAC), which officially recognized Swahili as a regional language in 2023. According to the 2022 Rwanda Population and Housing Census (RPHC5), about 4 percent of Rwandans aged 15 and above are literate in Swahili, making it the fourth most used language in the country.
