President Paul Kagame has announced a landmark 10-year agreement for Rwanda to host a Formula One Grand Prix, paving the way for the world’s premier motorsport championship to return to Africa for the first time in nearly four decades.
The historic deal marks a major milestone for Rwanda’s growing ambitions in international sports and positions the country to become a new hub for motorsport on the African continent.
The inaugural race is expected to take place in the early 2030s, ending an absence dating back to the 1993 South African Grand Prix.
The announcement follows years of engagement between Rwanda, Formula One and international motorsport authorities to establish the technical, commercial and infrastructure requirements necessary to bring the championship back to Africa.
A world-class circuit in Bugesera
At the heart of the agreement is the development of a purpose-built Formula One circuit in Bugesera, approximately 40 kilometres south of Kigali, near the new Kigali International Airport.
Led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the project will form part of a broader sports, tourism and commercial development designed to strengthen Rwanda’s position as an international destination for major events and investment.
The circuit will be constructed to FIA Grade 1 standards, the highest classification required to host Formula One races. Its design will incorporate Bugesera’s natural landscape and elevation changes, creating a distinctive racing experience for drivers and spectators alike.
Beyond hosting the Grand Prix, the facility is expected to accommodate other motorsport competitions, international conferences, entertainment activities and major events, ensuring its contribution extends beyond the annual Formula One calendar.
More than a race: An investment in Rwanda’s future
The agreement represents more than a sporting milestone. It is expected to serve as a catalyst for economic development, creating opportunities across tourism, hospitality, transport, construction, technology and other supporting industries.
President Kagame highlighted the potential of the partnership to bring Formula One closer to African fans while inspiring a new generation of young people to pursue careers in motorsport and related sectors.
The development of the circuit, alongside the new international airport, is also expected to stimulate employment, attract international investment and strengthen Rwanda’s connectivity with regional and global markets.
For Africa, the agreement represents an opportunity to reconnect with one of the world’s most prominent sporting championships.
With more than 100 million Formula One fans across the continent, Africa represents a significant audience for the sport. Nearly 60 per cent of fans in key Sub-Saharan African markets are under the age of 35, highlighting the potential to engage young audiences and nurture emerging African talent.
Rwanda’s growing footprint in global sports
The Formula One agreement builds on Rwanda’s expanding reputation as a trusted destination for high-profile international sporting events.
In recent years, the country has hosted the UCI Road World Championships, the Basketball Africa League, the 2023 FIFA Congress, and the 2024 FIA General Assemblies and FIA Awards Ceremony.
These events have contributed to Rwanda’s growing visibility on the international stage, reinforcing its ambitions in sports tourism, infrastructure development and global partnerships.
Presented by Visit Rwanda, the Grand Prix is expected to further elevate the country’s international profile while attracting visitors, businesses and investors from across the world.
Formula One and FIA welcome landmark partnership
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), welcomed the agreement as an important step towards expanding motorsport’s global reach and developing talent across Africa.
He reaffirmed the FIA’s commitment to working with Formula One and its partners to ensure that the new circuit meets international safety and technical requirements.
Formula One President and CEO Stefano Domenicali also welcomed Rwanda’s addition to the championship, noting that the agreement would extend Formula One’s presence to every inhabited continent from the next decade.
He emphasised the importance of ensuring that the partnership delivers benefits beyond racing, particularly through tourism, investment, skills development and opportunities for local businesses.
A new chapter for African motorsport
For Rwanda, securing a place on the Formula One calendar signals a significant step in its long-term ambition to leverage international sports as a driver of economic transformation and global engagement.
For Africa, it marks the anticipated return of a championship that has been absent from the continent for almost four decades, offering millions of motorsport enthusiasts the prospect of experiencing Formula One closer to home.
While the exact date of the inaugural Grand Prix has yet to be confirmed, further announcements are expected regarding construction milestones, race-weekend arrangements and other implementation details.
The 10-year agreement sets the stage for what could become one of Africa’s most significant sporting developments of the coming decade.
