Formula 1 to Return to Africa with Grand Prix in Rwanda
The series has signed a 10-year deal to host a race starting in the early 2030s, marking its first event on the continent since 1993.
Formula 1 is set to return to Africa for the first time in over four decades, with a 10-year contract to host a Grand Prix in Rwanda beginning in the early 2030s. The announcement marks a significant step in the global expansion of the motorsport series.
The purpose-built track will be located in Bugesera, southeast of the capital Kigali, and is anticipated to be ready in the early part of the next decade. This move fulfills a long-held ambition for the sport to race on the African continent again.
"This partnership is long overdue, but it is a success and a milestone for the entire continent, especially for the African fans," said Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the launch event in Kigali. "Ultimately, what we want is for the African Grand Prix to pave the way for other races to be hosted on the continent."
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the only Black driver in Formula 1, has been a vocal advocate for bringing a race to Africa. He has stated that he has been actively working behind the scenes for years to make this a reality. The last Formula 1 race held in Africa was the South African Grand Prix in 1993.
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture. "Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1," he stated. "With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade our sport will race in every inhabited continent, bringing the world championship closer than ever to fans around the globe. 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."
Rwanda's Bugesera circuit is planned to integrate with the natural landscape, utilizing hills and dips to create a challenging course for drivers. The track will be situated near an under-construction airport serving Kigali.
President Kagame highlighted the economic benefits expected from hosting the Grand Prix, including the development of sports infrastructure, tourism, and revenue diversification. "Our country will be watched on the global stage. And this comes with investments and creations of jobs, especially for the youth," commented Betty Mukamurenzi, a university student in Kigali. Local businesses also anticipate opportunities for growth.
Hosting Formula 1 is part of Rwanda's broader strategy to enhance its international profile through sports. The country has previously sponsored major European soccer teams and partnered with the NBA, as well as hosting the UCI Cycling World Championships. However, these efforts have also drawn criticism, with some accusing Rwanda of "sportswashing" to deflect attention from human rights concerns.
Past Formula 1 races in Africa, particularly in South Africa, were complicated by the country's apartheid policies. Many teams faced international pressure and some boycotts in the 1970s and 1980s. Following the dismantling of apartheid, Formula 1 returned to South Africa for races in 1992 and 1993.
While there have been previous proposals for Formula 1 races in South Africa and Morocco, Rwanda is the first new host nation confirmed since Qatar and Saudi Arabia joined the calendar in 2021. South African officials have expressed congratulations to Rwanda while maintaining their own aspirations to host a Grand Prix in the future.