Rwanda has secured a 10-year agreement to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, paving the way for the return of the prestigious motorsport championship to Africa in the early 2030s.
The deal will see a new circuit developed in Bugesera, about 40 kilometres south of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, with the project expected to meet the standards required to host Formula 1 races.
The proposed venue will be situated near the new Kigali International Airport as part of Rwanda’s broader ambition to attract international sporting events, boost tourism and stimulate economic growth.
The agreement represents a major development for African motorsport, as the continent has been absent from the Formula 1 calendar since the 1993 South African Grand Prix held at Kyalami.
Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali has previously expressed the championship’s interest in returning to Africa, a move that would expand its presence across the world’s major sporting markets.
Rwanda’s President, Paul Kagame, has also championed efforts to position the country as a destination for global sporting competitions and international investment.
The project is expected to create opportunities in tourism, hospitality, infrastructure development and local employment, while giving African motorsport enthusiasts the opportunity to experience a Formula 1 race on the continent.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has repeatedly advocated for Formula 1 to return to Africa, describing the continent as an important missing piece in the sport’s global reach.
Although the agreement establishes a 10-year hosting commitment, the exact date of the inaugural race and further details of the circuit’s development are expected to be confirmed as preparations progress.
Rwanda’s entry onto the Formula 1 calendar would mark a new chapter for the championship in Africa, with the country seeking to combine international motorsport with its wider tourism and investment ambitions.
