By Robert Mutasi 
Rwanda has secured a 10-year agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, paving the way for the return of the world’s premier motor racing championship to Africa after more than three decades.
The agreement, announced in Kigali on Tuesday, will see the race staged at a new circuit planned for Bugesera, south of the Rwandan capital. The event will be branded the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda.
Formula 1 last held a race on the continent at the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Rwanda’s entry into the championship would mark a major development in the sport’s global expansion and restore Africa’s place on the Formula 1 calendar.
The inaugural race is expected to take place in the early 2030s, subject to the completion of the circuit and the necessary preparations.
The proposed track will be built to meet the FIA’s Grade 1 standards, which are required to host Formula 1 races. It will be located about 40 kilometres south of Kigali, near the new Bugesera International Airport.
The Rwanda Development Board will lead the wider development project, which is expected to combine motorsport with tourism, infrastructure, commercial activities and other major events.
Organisers plan to incorporate the area’s natural elevation changes into the circuit design, creating a challenging track for drivers while providing spectators with good viewing opportunities.
The venue is also intended to operate throughout the year, hosting other motorsport competitions, conferences, entertainment events and international gatherings.
Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali described the agreement as a landmark moment for the championship.
He thanked President Paul Kagame, the Rwandan government and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem for supporting the project, saying the partnership could deliver economic and social benefits beyond race weekends.
Domenicali said the event would create opportunities in tourism, investment, skills development and local business, while strengthening the sport’s presence in new markets.
President Kagame said the agreement represented an important investment in Rwanda’s future and an opportunity for Africa to regain a place in a championship that has been absent from the continent for more than 30 years.
He said the partnership was expected to support job creation, develop professional skills, attract visitors and expand business opportunities over the 10-year period.
Rwanda has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for major international sporting events. The country has hosted the 2023 FIFA Congress, the Basketball Africa League and the 2024 FIA General Assemblies and Awards. It also hosted the UCI Road World Championships in 2025.
Formula 1 sees Africa as an important market for its continued growth. The championship has a substantial following across the continent, with younger audiences offering opportunities to expand its reach through live events, digital platforms and commercial partnerships.
The proposed Grand Prix is expected to benefit hotels, transport operators, restaurants, tourism businesses and other service providers. The scale of those benefits will depend on the cost of the project, visitor numbers and the opportunities available to local companies.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem welcomed the agreement, describing it as a historic step in the continued international development of motorsport.
Further details, including the inaugural race date, the final circuit design and ticket sales arrangements, are expected to be announced as the project progresses.
If delivered as planned, Rwanda’s Grand Prix would mark the return of Formula 1 to Africa and give the continent a new platform in one of the world’s most commercially prominent sporting championships.