Rwanda has officially secured a 10-year agreement with Formula 1 to host the African Grand Prix starting in the early 2030s. The historic deal marks the pinnacle of a multi-year effort to bring the FIA Formula One World Championship back to the African continent after what will be nearly a four-decade absence.
The announcement was formally made by Rwandan President Paul Kagame alongside Formula 1 leadership, confirming that the race will take place on a state-of-the-art, purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, located approximately 40 kilometers south of the capital city of Kigali.
Africa last hosted a World Championship Grand Prix in 1993 at the Kyalami circuit in South Africa. Once the Bugesera facility opens its doors, Formula 1 will officially fulfill its long-held vision of competing across every inhabited continent on the globe.
The centerpiece of the agreement is a brand-new FIA Grade 1 circuit, co-designed by former F1 driver Alexander Wurz’s WurzDesign and the renowned circuit engineering firm Tilke Engineering. Spanning 5.273 kilometers with 15 demanding corners, the track layout is engineered to capitalize on the natural elevation changes of Bugesera’s rolling landscape.
Lead designers highlighted that the venue’s proximity to the new Kigali International Airport and its unique topography will provide a world-class experience for both teams and fans. The surrounding hills will serve as natural amphitheaters, giving up to 40,000 spectators elevated vantage points across the sweeping circuit.
Speaking at the announcement ceremony in Kigali, President Paul Kagame underscored the broader cultural and economic significance of bringing the world’s premier motorsport series to African soil:
“Today belongs to Africa. For more than three decades, the world’s premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent, and that changes with this agreement. Rwanda is proud to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix and to share this moment with more than 100 million fans across Africa, many of them young people who deserve to see the sport at home and to see themselves in it.”
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali echoed those sentiments, commending Rwanda’s vision and long-term commitment to motorsport infrastructure:
“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. Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1.”
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem also welcomed the deal, noting that the international governing body will work hand-in-hand with Rwandan authorities and Formula One Management to ensure the Bugesera circuit meets the highest safety and engineering standards.
The multi-million-dollar undertaking forms part of Rwanda’s aggressive strategy to position itself as a premier global hub for sports tourism and international conventions. Led by the Rwanda Development Board, the country has previously secured major partnerships, including hosting the inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals and the UCI Road World Cycling Championships. Beyond the marquee Grand Prix, the Bugesera complex will feature driver training centers, road-safety institutes, and grassroots karting tracks to nurture regional talent.
However, the high-profile deal is expected to reignite debate among international observers and human rights organizations. Critics have frequently pointed toward Rwanda’s domestic political environment and regional tensions in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing the government of utilizing elite sporting events to polish its international image—a practice often referred to as “sportswashing.”
Rwandan officials have consistently rejected such assertions, pointing to the country’s robust post-1994 economic growth, infrastructure development, and growing tourism sector as evidence of sustainable national progress.
