Rwanda secures 10-year Formula 1 deal as Africa Grand Prix returns
Rwanda will host Formula 1 from the early 2030s, ending the championship’s 37-year absence from Africa and positioning the country for a major motorsport, tourism and investment push.
Rwanda has secured a landmark 10-year agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, marking the return of the world’s premier motorsport championship to Africa for the first time since 1993.
The race, to be presented by Visit Rwanda, is expected to join the Formula 1 calendar in the early 2030s, subject to the completion of a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, approximately 40 kilometres south of Kigali.
The agreement marks a significant milestone for African motorsport and is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s ambitions to become a regional hub for international sports, tourism and business.
Formula 1 said the new circuit would be developed to Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Grade 1 standards, the highest required for hosting Formula 1 races.
The facility will form part of a wider sports, tourism, infrastructure and commercial development project led by the Rwanda Development Board.
Located near the new Kigali International Airport, the circuit is expected to use the area’s natural landscape and elevation changes to create a challenging racing experience while offering spectators extensive viewing opportunities.
Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali described the agreement as a landmark moment for the championship.
“Africa has always been part of Formula 1’s future, and from the beginning we were determined to return in the right way, with the right partner, a long-term commitment and a clear vision for creating meaningful impact,” Domenicali said.
He added that the project would seek to generate lasting economic and social benefits through tourism, investment, skills development and local business growth.
Rwanda targets economic benefits
Beyond hosting race weekends, the Bugesera facility is intended to operate throughout the year, accommodating international motorsport competitions, conferences, entertainment and other major events.
The development is expected to create opportunities in hospitality, transport, construction, tourism and related services, although the scale of investment, projected employment and overall economic returns have not yet been disclosed.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame said the agreement was an investment in the country’s future, with the circuit and adjacent airport expected to support jobs, skills development, tourism and business opportunities.
“Our aim was never a single race weekend, but a lasting benefit for our people,” Kagame said.
He also highlighted opportunities for young Africans to participate in motorsport beyond driving, including careers in engineering, technical services and entrepreneurship.
Rwanda has built experience hosting international sporting events, including the UCI Road World Championships, the Basketball Africa League and the 2023 FIFA Congress. The country also hosted the FIA General Assemblies and FIA Awards Ceremony in 2024.
Africa’s growing fan base
Formula 1 said Africa has more than 100 million fans, with almost 60% of fans in key sub-Saharan African markets aged below 35.
The return is expected to bring the championship closer to a young and expanding audience while creating opportunities to develop African motorsport talent.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the agreement was an important step in expanding the sport’s global reach and opening new pathways for emerging talent.
He said the FIA would work with Formula 1 and its partners to ensure the new circuit meets international standards.
The race will end a lengthy absence that began after the 1993 South African Grand Prix, the last Formula 1 world championship race held on the continent.
However, the project still faces key delivery milestones, including circuit construction, infrastructure development and confirmation of the inaugural race date.
Formula 1 said further details on the race schedule, construction milestones and race-weekend arrangements would be announced later.
If delivered as planned, the Rwandan Grand Prix would represent a new chapter for African motorsport, combining elite competition with ambitions to expand tourism, attract investment and develop local technical expertise.
