Formula 1 Signs 10-Year Agreement to Bring the African Grand Prix to Rwanda
The landmark partnership returns the championship to the continent for the first time since 1993.
Summary
Formula 1 has announced a landmark 10-year agreement to bring the World Championship back to Africa with a new race in Rwanda
The event will take place at a purpose-built FIA Grade 1 circuit in Bugesera located adjacent to the new Kigali International Airport
The Formula 1 African Grand Prix presented by Visit Rwanda is scheduled to join the calendar in the early 2030s
Formula 1 has officially announced a landmark 10-year agreement to introduce the F1 African Grand Prix, marking the championship’s return to the African continent for the first time since 1993. Presented by Visit Rwanda, the historic deal ensures that the pinnacle of motorsport will compete across every inhabited continent.
Scheduled to join the racing calendar in the early 2030s, the Grand Prix will be held on a brand-new, purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, located approximately 40 kilometers south of the capital city of Kigali. Developed in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board and situated adjacent to the upcoming Kigali International Airport, the venue will be engineered to FIA Grade 1 standards. The track layout is designed to integrate into the surrounding natural landscape, utilizing local elevation changes to deliver both technical racing challenges and elevated spectator views.
Beyond competitive racing weekends, the facility is conceived as a year-round destination for international motorsport, global entertainment, conferences, and regional economic investment. The initiative builds upon Rwanda’s recent track record of hosting major sporting gatherings, including the Basketball Africa League and the FIA General Assemblies.
Highlighting the continental enthusiasm for motorsport, F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali noted that Africa is already home to over 100 million Formula 1 fans. Rwandan President Paul Kagame echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the long-term collaboration aims to inspire African youth across engineering, technical trades, and driving while establishing a lasting economic and infrastructural legacy.
The Formula 1 African Grand Prix is scheduled to join the calendar in the early 2030s, with specific race dates and circuit development milestones to be announced in due course.
