Rwanda to Host Formula One Grand Prix in Early 2030s Under 10-Year Deal

Posted : 13 October 2026

Rwanda is set to bring Formula One back to Africa for the first time since 1993 after securing a 10-year agreement to host the African Grand Prix from the early 2030s. The announcement, made on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, marks a significant milestone for the championship and the continent's motorsport ambitions. The inaugural race will take place once a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera is completed.

The agreement follows years of efforts by the East African nation to attract a Formula One race. President Paul Kagame formally announced Rwanda's bid during a gathering of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) in December 2024. The new Grand Prix will be staged at a circuit approximately 40 kilometres south of Kigali, close to the new international airport being developed in Bugesera.

Formula One president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali described the agreement as a landmark moment for the sport. He said the return to Africa would extend Formula One's presence across every inhabited continent while bringing the championship closer to millions of fans. The series also highlighted the potential for the event to generate lasting benefits through tourism, investment, business development and local skills training.

The planned circuit will be built to FIA Grade One standards and designed to take advantage of the area's natural landscape and elevation changes. Beyond hosting the annual race, the venue is expected to accommodate other motorsport competitions, entertainment events, exhibitions and conferences, helping establish Bugesera as a year-round destination.

Kagame Hails Return of Formula One to Africa

President Kagame welcomed the agreement as a breakthrough for Rwanda and African motorsport fans, noting that the continent had been absent from the Formula One calendar for more than three decades. He said the partnership was intended to deliver benefits beyond the race itself, including employment, tourism, technical expertise and new commercial opportunities.

The deal builds on Rwanda's broader strategy of using international sporting events to strengthen its global profile and attract investment. The country has previously sponsored major football clubs, supported the Basketball Africa League and hosted the 2025 UCI Road World Championships. Securing a Formula One race represents another major step in its ambition to become a destination for high-profile international events.

However, Rwanda's growing sports presence has also attracted criticism. Human rights advocates have accused the government of using high-profile sporting partnerships to divert attention from allegations of political repression and restrictions on dissent. Supporters of the strategy argue that international sporting events can promote tourism, economic development and opportunities for local communities.

Lewis Hamilton Welcomes F1's Return to Africa

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has consistently called for Formula One to return to Africa, making the continent's absence from the calendar a longstanding concern. The British driver has publicly supported Rwanda's ambitions and welcomed the prospect of bringing the championship to African fans.

Formula One last raced on the continent at the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, where French driver Alain Prost claimed victory. Rwanda's planned event will make it the third African country to host a Formula One world championship race, following South Africa and Morocco, which staged a Grand Prix in 1958.

South Africa has also been pursuing a return to the Formula One calendar, with potential venues including Kyalami and Cape Town. Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie has expressed support for Rwanda's successful bid while maintaining that South Africa could still secure a future race.

The precise date of Rwanda's inaugural Grand Prix has not yet been confirmed, as construction of the new circuit remains a key requirement. Nevertheless, the 10-year agreement establishes a long-term framework for Formula One's return to Africa and creates an opportunity to expand the sport's reach across the continent.

Rwanda to Host Formula One Grand Prix in Early 2030s Under 10-Year Deal

Kagame Hails Return of Formula One to Africa

Lewis Hamilton Welcomes F1's Return to Africa

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