F1 signs 10-year Rwanda deal, ending Africa's absence from the calendar since 1993
A new purpose-built circuit near Kigali will host the African Grand Prix in the early 2030s — the first F1 race on the continent since South Africa in 1993.
Formula 1 has signed a 10-year agreement to race in Rwanda, ending a gap of more than three decades since the sport last visited Africa. The African Grand Prix will be held at a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, roughly 25 miles south of the capital Kigali, with the first race expected in the early 2030s once construction is complete.
The announcement, made in mid-October, settles the central question of whether a binding contract exists. It does not yet settle the practical ones: no inaugural race date has been announced, and circuit construction milestones will be confirmed later.
landmark moment for the championship— Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 President and CEO
Domenicali said the Rwanda deal means Formula 1 will race on every inhabited continent once the circuit joins the calendar, according to grandprix.com. The FIA will work alongside Formula 1 and the promoters as the new track is developed.
The circuit will be built to FIA Grade 1 standards — the highest classification required for a Formula 1 venue — adjacent to the new Kigali International Airport. The project is led by the Rwanda Development Board and is designed as part of a broader sports, tourism and commercial development, not a standalone race facility.
create jobs, skills, tourism and business over the life of the partnership— Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda
The last time Formula 1 raced in Africa was the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.
The promoter of the African Grand Prix has said it wants to retain flexibility over the final race date and start time, according to yahoo.com. Detailed weekend plans will follow as construction progresses.
The Bugesera site is located approximately 25 to 40 kilometres south of Kigali, depending on the source, near the new international airport. The Rwanda Development Board is leading the project, which is framed as a long-term economic and tourism initiative rather than a single-event showcase.
Why it matters — Rwanda's deal brings Formula 1 back to Africa after more than three decades and, once the circuit is built, will make F1 the first motorsport world championship to race on every inhabited continent.
⚠ Not yet confirmed
- The promoter wants to retain flexibility over the final race date and start time
- specific announcement date of October 13, 2026
- exact claim of a 30-year gap (now described as more than three decades)
- unsupported estimate of 37-40 years until return
- quotation marks around Domenicali remark (paraphrased from source)
Reported by yahoo.com, corp.formula1.com, reuters.com, grandprix.com
