In a national address, Hassan said the government has established a national reconciliation commission aimed at healing divisions and restoring trust among citizens. She urged Tanzanians not to allow ideological or political differences to divide the nation or derail its development agenda.
“Differences are part of democracy, but they must never be used to divide the nation,” the president said, emphasizing that peace, unity, and solidarity are the foundations of patriotism and sustainable development.
Highlighting recent economic performance, Hassan said average inflation stood at 3.4 percent in 2025, while economic growth reached 5.8 percent, up from 5.2 percent in 2024.
Public debt remains sustainable, supported by efforts to refinance high-interest loans and extend repayment periods, she added.
The president said that foreign exchange reserves have risen to 6.6 billion U.S. dollars, enough to cover more than five months of imports.
Looking ahead, Hassan said Tanzania will begin implementing its National Development Vision 2050 in 2026, alongside a three-year medium-term strategy to boost government revenue through expanded use of electronic systems and stronger public financial management.
In his end-of-year message, Kagame said Rwanda remains fully committed to implementing the Washington Accord signed with the DRC on December 4, 2025. The accord, he noted, is a critical step toward addressing the root causes of the conflict in eastern DRC and restoring regional stability.
The peace deal calls for, among other measures, the neutralisation of the FDLR militia group, which is linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Kigali maintains that FDLR continues to pose a security threat due to its entrenched genocidal ideology.
“Rwanda is fully committed to implementing this agreement, but any threat to the peace and security of our people is unacceptable. The threat of state-supported violent extremism is unfortunately still very real,” President Kagame stated.
Rwanda has repeatedly accused the Kinshasa administration of collaborating with the FDLR militia group amid the escalating conflict with the AFC/M23 rebels, threatening Rwanda’s security.
In his end-of-year message, President Kagame also reflected on Rwanda’s economic growth and national achievements in 2025, highlighting several milestones that elevated the country’s profile internationally. These included hosting the International Security Conference on Africa, the matriculation of the first class at the African School of Governance, and the launch of a new annual forum on nuclear power innovation for Africa.
Sports achievements also marked the year. Kigali hosted the UCI World Cycling Championships, the first time the event was held in Africa, which Kagame described as a source of national pride. Preparations are underway for the FIFA Series in 2026, aimed at nurturing Rwandan talent and strengthening the country’s presence in global sports.
Reflecting on Rwanda’s path forward, the President emphasised self-reliance, innovation, and collective responsibility as key to sustaining economic growth and national stability. He encouraged young Rwandans in particular to take ownership of the country’s future, acknowledging that progress may require sacrifices from individuals and the nation as a whole.
Speaking in his end-of-year address to Burundians on December 31, Ndayishimiye reiterated allegations he has made repeatedly in recent weeks, accusing Rwanda of undermining peace efforts in the Great Lakes region and of being responsible for insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
He claimed that Rwanda lacks commitment to regional peace, despite what he described as efforts by neighbouring countries to coexist peacefully. Ndayishimiye further alleged that Rwanda was responsible for attacks in the DRC and suggested that Burundi could be the next target, citing what he called hostile rhetoric from Burundians living in exile.
“What is happening in our neighbouring country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, concerns us greatly,” he said. “The country attacking Congo harbours resentment against Burundi because it continues to protect killers who target our country. Nothing reassures us that after Congo, Burundi would not be next.”
The remarks stand in contrast to Ndayishimiye’s own role as a witness to the signing of regional peace agreements between Rwanda and the DRC, during which no evidence was presented to support claims that Rwanda had attacked Congolese territory. Throughout the negotiations and accompanying diplomatic engagements, Rwanda’s involvement in the conflict was not established, with Kigali repeatedly rejecting the accusations as politically motivated.
Analysts note that accusations against Rwanda have become a recurring narrative among officials in Kinshasa and its regional allies, often used to deflect attention from the AFC/M23 rebellion and to push for international sanctions against Kigali.
Ndayishimiye’s rhetoric also appears to place Burundi firmly within the political and security alignment of Congolese President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, alongside armed groups such as the FDLR and Wazalendo militias, which are actively engaged in fighting AFC/M23 in eastern Congo. The FDLR, in particular, is designated as a terrorist group and is linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
In his address, the Burundian president, who closed the border with Rwanda in January 2024, said relations between the two countries would remain strained unless individuals accused of attempting a coup in Burundi in 2015 are handed over.
Rwanda has repeatedly stated that Burundians residing in Kigali who are sought by Bujumbura are recognised refugees protected under international law and therefore fall outside Rwanda’s jurisdiction.
Kigali has also accused Burundi of contributing to deteriorating relations by cooperating with the FDLR and by supporting Congolese military initiatives that, according to Rwandan officials, openly seek to undermine Rwanda’s security.
Despite renewed calls for dialogue, Ndayishimiye’s latest remarks are likely to deepen diplomatic tensions, reinforcing a narrative that regional observers say risks further entrenching divisions rather than advancing stability in the Great Lakes region.
In his end-of-year message, the Head of State noted that Rwanda’s economy performed well in 2025 but stressed that sustaining and raising growth will require innovative solutions, productive use of resources, and the active contribution of citizens.
Rwanda’s economy recorded robust growth in the third quarter of 2025, expanding by 11.8%, driven largely by strong performance in the services and industry sectors, according to recent data from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
Rwanda’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current market prices was estimated at Frw 5,53 trillion in Q3 2025, up from Frw 4,66 trillion recorded in the same period last year. The expansion marks a continued acceleration in growth, following increases of 7.8% in the second quarter and 6.5% in the first quarter of 2025.
“We cannot count on anyone else to finance our development and well-being,” he said, urging young Rwandans in particular to take responsibility for the nation’s future, even when it demands personal or collective sacrifices.
“It is your task, as young Rwandans, to sustain what we have built and take it further. I hope you are prepared for that duty, including when it may require sacrifices from us individually and collectively,” he added.
Reflecting on 2025, the President highlighted several milestones that elevated Rwanda’s international profile, including the first International Security Conference on Africa, the matriculation of the inaugural class at the African School of Governance, and the launch of a continental forum on nuclear power innovation. He described these events as proof of Africa’s growing capacity to define its own path.
Rwanda also hosted the UCI World Cycling Championships from September 21 to 28, 2025, marking the first time the event was held in Africa. Kagame said the achievement brought immense national pride.
“The defining moment of 2025 was undoubtedly hosting the UCI World Cycling Championships. Bringing this competition and its elite athletes to Kigali’s streets was a source of immense pride for our nation,” he stated.
Preparations are underway for the FIFA Series in 2026, aimed at nurturing Rwandan talent and strengthening the country’s global sports presence.
On regional security, Kagame cited the Washington Accord signed with the Democratic Republic of Congo on December 4, thanking international partners, including the United States and Qatar. He warned that any threat to Rwanda’s peace and security is unacceptable, noting the continued danger of state-backed violent extremism in the region.
“Rwanda is fully committed to implementing this agreement, but any threat to the peace and security of our people is unacceptable,” he warned.
The Washington Accord calls for the neutralisation of the FDLR militia group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and which Rwanda maintains poses a security threat to the country.
Kagame concluded by urging citizens to remain vigilant, ambitious, and responsible, emphasising that everyone has a role to play in advancing national goals.
“The future we deserve is within reach. We must stay the course, remain positive and continue aiming higher. As we celebrate the end of the year, I urge everyone to stay vigilant and mindful of your safety and that of others around you,” he noted.
Earlier in 2025, the group expanded its presence in the volatile eastern region, capturing strategic cities such as Goma and Bukavu. The escalation heightened tensions with President Felix Tshisekedi’s administration, leading to bloody clashes.
In a year-end statement issued from Goma on Wednesday, December 31, AFC/M23 political coordinator Corneille Nangaa highlighted conditions in territories under the group’s administration, noting that displaced persons and refugees are returning home, children have resumed schooling, and hospitals are operating normally.
Additionally, Nangaa noted that agriculture and local commerce are gradually resuming, signalling a recovery in the region’s social and economic life.
“In liberated territories, the population now lives in peace, dignity, and regained security. The young administration is settling in. Justice is now in the process of revitalisation,” Nangaa stated.
While emphasising the improvements, AFC/M23 strongly criticised the Kinshasa government for failing to honour Doha ceasefire agreements and for blocking the release of prisoners. Nangaa accused the government of waging attacks on civilians and engaging in ethnic-targeted violence against Congolese Tutsi communities.
“The Kinshasa regime has demonstrated that the agreements were only a smokescreen for it to rearm and reorganise,” he said, also condemning arbitrary arrests and purges within the army.
The statement framed the ongoing crisis as a domestic issue, warning against externalising it and blaming governance failures in Kinshasa for insecurity, corruption, tribalism, and poverty. AFC/M23 called for a “true, just, and lasting peace” based on accountability and an end to impunity.
Looking ahead, the movement said 2026 would focus on consolidating efforts to restore liberty, justice, and state institutions in the areas it controls. Nangaa urged all Congolese to remain united, saying, “The legitimacy and strength of our struggle depend on our unity, which will become the foundation of a better future.”
Nangaa concluded by urging Congolese citizens to stand united and work toward a dignified and prosperous future in 2026.
“2026 will be a year of consolidating our fight for liberty, justice, peace, and the rebuilding of the state,” he said.
The shelling occurred during clashes between the AFC/M23 rebel group, the DRC army, Burundian forces, Wazalendo, and the FDLR militia in South Kivu, particularly in the Rusizi plain.
Heavy shelling targeted areas under AFC/M23 control in Walungu Territory, including Kamanyola and Kaziba.
A resident, who lost his wife and two children during the attack, told Conspiracy Tracker Great Lakes (CTGL) that civilians had no means of escape. “We were indoors when a shell fell on our house. Four people died: my wife, two children, and a neighbour’s child,” he said.
Kamanyola’s local administrator, Hassan Shabani, said the attacks between 2 and 4 December killed eight people.
“Since December 2, Kamanyola has endured intense shelling from Burundi. Around 150 shells hit the town, which spans seven square kilometres and is home to over 100,000 people. Schools, hospitals, and civilian homes were damaged,” he said.
Shabani expressed concern over why Kamanyola was targeted when most fighting occurred 15 kilometres away in Lubarika and Luvungi.
“The fighting was in Lubarika and Luvungi, yet Burundian forces decided to fire shells at Kamanyola. Heavy weapons were positioned and fired here on December 2. On the 3rd and 4th, they moved their artillery from Katoki to Rukana and continued shelling Kamanyola,” he explained.
A doctor at Saint Joseph Hospital in Kamanyola said the medical facility received 55 casualties from the attacks, including 27 people with severe injuries who were later transferred to Bukavu’s main hospital for advanced treatment.
By 2:00 pm Central Africa Time (CAT) on Wednesday, December 31, several countries in the Pacific and Oceania had already crossed into 2026. Kiribati’s Line Islands became the first place on Earth to welcome the new year at exactly 12:00 pm CAT, followed 15 minutes later by New Zealand’s Chatham Islands. Mainland New Zealand, including Auckland and Wellington, as well as the Pacific kingdom of Tonga, ushered in 2026 at 1:00 pm CAT. Fiji, Tuvalu and parts of eastern Russia followed at 2:00 pm CAT.
In contrast, Rwanda and much of Africa were approximately nine and a half hours behind the earliest celebrations, as the New Year’s countdown continued its westward sweep across the globe.
The celebrations were set to roll on rapidly across the Pacific and into Asia. Norfolk Island was expected to ring in 2026 at 2:30 pm CAT, followed at 3:00 pm CAT by much of Australia, including Sydney and Melbourne, as well as Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. East Asia, including Japan, South Korea and North Korea, is scheduled to welcome the new year at 5:00 pm CAT.
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As the global countdown advances, anticipation is building in Rwanda, where New Year’s Eve blends modern celebration with spiritual reflection and community tradition.
Kigali has been transformed by festive holiday lighting, with illuminated roundabouts and public landmarks adding colour to the city’s streets as residents prepare for the final hours of 2025. The City of Kigali has confirmed that midnight will be marked by major fireworks displays at several locations, including Kigali Heights near the Kigali Convention Centre, Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyamirambo, and Canal Olympia in Rebero. In addition, fireworks will also be launched from selected private venues, namely Hôtel des Mille Collines, Atelier du Vin, Serena Hotels, and KCC Parkings.
For many Rwandans, however, the New Year begins not with fireworks but with prayer. Thousands are expected to attend “Watch Night” services across the country. Catholic parishes typically begin their services as early as 6:00 pm, while Protestant congregations often gather later in the evening, welcoming 2026 with worship, reflection and thanksgiving.
Celebrations will also stretch beyond the capital. In Rubavu, residents and visitors will usher in the new year along the shores of Lake Kivu, with music, fireworks and the scenic hills framing the celebrations.
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Across the continent, cities are preparing to welcome 2026 in their own distinct styles. In East Africa, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are hosting outdoor concerts and beach-style gatherings, with coastal Kenya and Zanzibar remaining popular destinations for those seeking a seaside celebration.
Further south, South Africa is preparing for large-scale festivities, with Cape Town set to host its iconic fireworks display at the V&A Waterfront, while Johannesburg pulses with urban energy through events such as the “Made in Jozi” festival and rooftop celebrations overlooking the city skyline.
In West Africa, Lagos continues its tradition of high-energy New Year celebrations through the Greater Lagos Fiesta, featuring street parties and Afrobeat performances. Accra, Ghana, combines spiritual Watch Night services with the vibrant AfroFuture festivities that often continue into the early hours of January 1.
The United States and American Samoa will be among the last places to welcome 2026, with millions watching the iconic ball drop in New York’s Times Square long after sunrise breaks over Kigali.
The conflict intensified in January 2025, as AFC/M23 fighters advanced from the mountainous areas surrounding the city of Sake in Masisi Territory. By mid-January, they captured the city and successfully blocked key supply routes used by the DRC army for transporting weapons.
On January 20, Burundian troops were stationed in Minova, in the Kalehe Territory, tasked with preventing the AFC/M23 coalition from entering Goma. However, by January 21, AFC/M23 had already withdrawn from the area, setting their sights on Goma, which soon became the focal point of their offensive.
In response, the DRC army launched a series of heavy counterattacks in an attempt to push AFC/M23 fighters out of Sake and back into the Masisi region, specifically targeting the Mushaki area. However, AFC/M23 fighters held their ground and managed to push DRC forces towards the outskirts of Goma.
Tragically, during the fighting on January 24, General Maj Peter Cirimwami, the Governor of North Kivu, was killed in Kasangezi while visiting DRC troops engaged in the battle. He succumbed to his injuries while being transferred to Kinshasa for medical treatment.
Despite the setback, AFC/M23 fighters showed no signs of slowing down. The group’s spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, issued a call for DRC forces to vacate Goma, warning that their arrival in the city was imminent, a warning that many initially dismissed as a joke.
On the morning of January 27, a fierce battle broke out in Goma, with the airport becoming a key battleground. By the end of the day, AFC/M23 had taken control of all major locations within the city. In their wake, DRC forces and local militias left behind a considerable amount of heavy weaponry, including Sukhoi-25 fighter jets.
Many DRC forces, alongside Burundian troops, local militias, and the FDLR, retreated to the southern Kivu region, attempting to halt AFC/M23’s advance. Key infrastructure, including the Kavumu airport, which was used by the DRC to launch airstrikes on areas like Minova, became a target for AFC/M23.
On February 14, Kanyuka declared that AFC/M23 had successfully captured the town of Kavumu and its airport, which had been a significant source of conflict for both civilians and the coalition’s military positions.
“We have neutralized the threat at its source,” Kanyuka explained, emphasizing that the control of Kavumu and its surrounding areas was firmly in their hands.
With the capture of Kavumu, AFC/M23 extended their reach towards Bukavu, a journey of approximately 25 kilometers, which they completed on February 16.
Upon entering Bukavu, AFC/M23 fighters found that DRC forces had retreated to Uvira and Kalemie in Tanganyika Province. Meanwhile, Burundian forces, local militias, and the FDLR remained in close proximity, keeping an eye on the developments.
The security situation in Bukavu remained unstable, with some Wazalendo fighters still present in the Kamanyola center. In response, AFC/M23 launched an operation to remove these fighters from the center and the surrounding border areas, pushing them towards Uvira.
The conflict spread further into North Kivu, particularly in Walikale Territory. On March 19, AFC/M23 captured the city of Walikale and the small Kigoma airport, although they eventually withdrew in early April.
AFC/M23’s decision to leave Walikale was part of an effort to build trust in peace negotiations, which had been facilitated by Qatar since March. Qatar had also called for the release of 700 individuals accused of collaborating with the group.
The peace talks, held in Doha, Qatar, helped to de-escalate the violence in eastern DRC, although occasional flare-ups occurred due to provocations by Wazalendo militias. When necessary, AFC/M23 responded with force to assert their control.
On June 29, 2025, AFC/M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa announced that the coalition now controlled over 34,000 square kilometers of territory, home to more than 11 million people. This area exceeded the size of Rwanda, which has a land area of 26,300 square kilometers and a population of just over 14 million.
Nangaa explained, “Today, AFC/M23 controls over 34,000 square kilometers of land, home to 11 million people. In just five months, our forces have restored security, established stability, and instilled a sense of hope among the local populations.”
In November, heavy fighting erupted in Walungu Territory, where AFC/M23 captured the city of Nzibira on November 21. Later that month, the coalition also seized the Kamanyola center in Walungu, South Kivu, and the Buhimba center in Walikale after defeating the DRC army and local militias.
The situation took a dramatic turn shortly before Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace and economic cooperation agreement on December 4, 2025. Two days before the agreement, the Kamanyola center was shelled, and intense fighting erupted.
In the ongoing conflict in the Rusizi/Ruzizi Valley, AFC/M23 captured several strategic locations, including Katogota, Kaziba, Luberizi, Runingu, Sange, Luvungi, Kiliba, and the city of Uvira. However, at the request of international mediators, including the United States, AFC/M23 later withdrew from Uvira, marking the conclusion of the year’s major military engagements.
In separate statements, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Treasury said a Venezuelan company targeted by the sanctions had been involved in the sale of millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian-designed combat unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
Other sanctioned entities and individuals were accused of supporting procurement networks linked to Iran’s drone and ballistic missile programs, said the statements.
“The entities and individuals designated today demonstrate Iran is actively proliferating its combat UAVs and continues to procure missile-related items in violation of UN restrictions,” State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.
He added that the Trump administration will take action to curb Iran’s ballistic missile program, block its development of other conventional and asymmetric weapons, and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“We will continue to take swift action to deprive those who enable Iran’s military-industrial complex access to the U.S. financial system,” said Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John K. Hurley.
The U.S. Treasury Department also said that Iran’s UAV and missile programs threaten U.S. and allied personnel in the Middle East and disrupt commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The sanctions came one day after U.S. President Donald Trump, when meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida, warned that the United States would support renewed strikes if Iran tries to rebuild its ballistic missile program.
In response to Trump’s remarks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday warned on X that his country would respond harshly to any act of aggression.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran’s response to any cruel aggression would be harsh and regret-inducing,” Pezeshkian said.
Tensions between Iran and the United States have escalated after a series of strikes in June. On June 13, Israel launched airstrikes on several locations in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and civilians. On June 22, U.S. forces bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan.
Relations between the United States and Venezuela have also remained strained, with Caracas repeatedly accusing Washington of pursuing regime change and expanding its military presence in the region under what the United States calls an anti-narco-terrorism campaign.
Nteziryayo’s appointment was announced on December 24. She takes over from Kampeta Pitchette Sayinzoga, whose six-year tenure was marked by significant institutional growth, improved financial performance, and an expanded role in mobilizing both domestic and external capital to support Rwanda’s national development priorities.
During the past six years, data show that BRD’s total assets grew from Frw 157 billion to over Frw 1.02 trillion, while the loan portfolio increased from Frw 167 billion to Frw 710 billion.
Annual profitability turned around from a loss to a profit of Frw 22.8 billion, reflecting improved financial sustainability. The bank also achieved a fourfold leverage effect, mobilising three additional francs from external sources for every franc invested by the government.
Over the same period, BRD’s investments contributed to a wide range of national priorities. Notable achievements included connecting over 500,000 households to electricity, raising export volumes from 80 metric tonnes to 8,566 metric tonnes, and issuing Rwanda’s first sustainability-linked bond, which raised Frw 63.5 billion for impact-driven projects.
In education, the digitalisation of the Government student bursary scheme enabled faster disbursements and expanded support for post-graduation bursary reimbursements.
Nteziryayo brings over a decade of experience in macroeconomic policy, debt management, fiscal strategy, and sustainable finance.
She previously served as Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, where she played a central role in shaping Rwanda’s medium-term economic framework, coordinating sovereign financing, and enhancing fiscal sustainability.
BRD, established in 1967, continues to play a key role in providing long-term, tailored financing to sectors critical for Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation, aligned with Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation.
