Formula 1 has signed a 10-year deal to host a Grand Prix in Rwanda starting in the early 2030s. The race will take place at a new circuit in Bugesera, marking the sport's return to Africa since 1993.
Formula 1 will return to Africa with a Grand Prix in Rwanda starting in the early 2030s, according to an announcement made Tuesday by F1 and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The deal, which spans 10 years, marks the first time the championship will race on the continent since the South African Grand Prix in 1993.
The race will be held at a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of the capital, Kigali. According to Hypebeast, the venue is situated adjacent to the upcoming Kigali International Airport and will be engineered to FIA Grade 1 standards.
F1 stated that the track will "work in harmony with the natural landscape," utilizing hills and dips to challenge drivers. Former F1 driver Alex Wurz and circuit designer Hermann Tilke are involved in developing the plans, according to Yahoo Sports. The facility is designed as a year-round destination for motorsport, entertainment, and conferences.
Rwanda, with a GDP per capita of just over $1,100, joins a calendar that includes destinations like Las Vegas, Miami, Monaco, and Abu Dhabi. President Kagame said the country aims to use the race to develop sports infrastructure, boost tourism, and diversify revenue.
"This partnership is long overdue," Kagame said at a launch event in Kigali. "But it is a success and a milestone for the entire continent, especially for the African fans. Ultimately, what we want is for the African Grand Prix to pave the way for other races to be hosted on the continent."
F1 President and chief executive Stefano Domenicali called the announcement a "landmark moment," noting that the sport will now race in every inhabited continent. "Africa has always been part of Formula One'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.
The last F1 race in Africa was the 1993 South African Grand Prix. Previous races in the continent were overshadowed by apartheid, with some teams boycotting the 1985 race in South Africa. F1 also held a Moroccan Grand Prix in 1958.
The move has drawn mixed reactions. While supporters view it as an economic opportunity, critics have raised concerns about "sportswashing," a term used to describe using high-profile events to distract from human rights issues. Human rights groups have accused Kagame of repressive methods, and the U.N. has accused Rwanda of backing rebels in neighboring Congo. AFP reported that some observers argue this criticism is hypocritical, noting that other nations with rights concerns have hosted major sporting events without similar labels.
Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion and the only Black driver in F1, has long advocated for a race in Africa. The 41-year-old British driver has said he has been "fighting in the background" for years to bring the sport back to the continent.
South Africa had also been bidding to host an F1 race. South Africa Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie congratulated Rwanda but insisted his country would also secure a race. "We are happy for Rwanda's 2030 F1. They have worked on it longer than SA and deserve it," McKenzie wrote on X. "Remember though that one country, Italy, has had two F1s a year, and some react like a continent of 55 countries can only get one. SA will get F1, even before 2030."
This agreement ends a 30-year absence of Formula 1 from Africa and expands the sport's global reach to every inhabited continent. For Rwanda, the deal represents a significant step in its strategy to use sports to attract international investment and reshape its global image. The construction of the Bugesera circuit will likely drive infrastructure development and tourism in the region, though the exact start date for the inaugural race remains to be confirmed.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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