Kigali will usher in the New Year with music, memories and a little star power as Rwandan R&B and Afrobeat singer Kevin Kade teams up with Tanzanian Bongo Flava icon Alikiba for a New Year’s Eve concert dubbed The Last Night. Set for the Kigali Convention Center public square, the show is part of the city’s end-of-year festivities and promises a lively countdown into 2026. The lineup blends regional heavyweight appeal with a strong local presence, bringing together rappers, vocalists and crowd favorites in one shared celebration. ALSO READ: Shenseea and Mavado in Kigali: How to win free tickets for the show Alongside Kevin Kade and Alikiba, the night will feature performances by Angell Mutoni, Shemi, Kenny K Shot, Diez Dola, Riderman, Bruce The 1st, Shaffy, Bushali and several others, reflecting the range and rhythm of Rwanda’s current music scene. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Kevin Kade described sharing the stage with Alikiba as a full-circle moment. He said the Tanzanian star was one of his earliest inspirations growing up. “I grew up looking up to Ali Kiba as a role model. Having him here and sharing the same stage with him means a lot to me,” Kevin Kade said. City of Kigali spokesperson Emma Claudine Ntirenganya said The Last Night is part of a wider push to energize the city through entertainment spread across multiple venues. “Apart from the Kigali Convention Center, other concerts will take place at Kigali Pelé Stadium and Canal Olympia,” she said. “This programme of public concerts will also continue in the future.” She emphasized that accessibility remains central to the city’s approach. “Everyone is considered, whether they have money or not. Entry to Kigali Pelé Stadium is free, and the city will continue to ensure celebrations are inclusive,” Ntirenganya said. Alikiba used the occasion to reflect on his own musical journey and the influences that shaped his sound, noting that Ugandan star Jose Chameleone played a key role in pushing him toward Swahili music. “I started music at a young age, and talent is what helped me move forward,” he said. The Bongo Flava star also introduced rising Rwandan singer Mutima, whom he recently signed to his Kings Music label. Visibly emotional, Mutima described the moment as a turning point in her career. “Being under Kings Music is very valuable to me. I lacked someone to give me a hand in music, and this changed everything,” she said. Alikiba said her talent stood out immediately. “I saw Mutima and felt she deserved help. I needed a female artiste on my label, and step by step we will also work with artistes from Kenya, Uganda and elsewhere. I want to be a blessing to other artistes,” he said, urging Rwandans to support her journey. Mutima also spoke about her four years in Tanzania, describing the period as both challenging and formative. “Music did not go as I imagined, but I learned a lot. I learned Swahili and now I understand what Tanzanians like,” she said. Veteran rapper Riderman praised Kevin Kade’s growth, recalling their early collaborations. “We worked together when Kevin Kade was just starting out. He deserves support because his work speaks for itself,” Riderman said. Asked about the future of Bongo Flava beyond its current stars, Alikiba said longevity depends on individual choices. “You decide whether you want a national, regional, African or global market,” he said. He closed with praise for Kevin Kade, noting that he has followed his music closely. “Your music is different. You do things beyond what even I can do,” Alikiba said, encouraging continued local support. “He has a bright future.”
