Rwanda has secured a 10 year agreement to host a Formula One Grand Prix from the early 2030s, marking the sport’s return to Africa for the first time since 1993.
Formula One Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali announced the deal on Tuesday in Kigali alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Domenicali said the agreement would expand the championship’s global reach and bring races to every inhabited continent.
Rwanda plans to build a new Grade One circuit near the international airport under construction at Bugesera, about 40 kilometres south of Kigali. The project is expected to support tourism, investment, job creation and skills development.
The country becomes the third African nation to host a Formula One race, following South Africa and Morocco. The championship last raced at South Africa’s Kyalami circuit in 1993, while Morocco hosted a Grand Prix near Casablanca in 1958.
Seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari, has repeatedly called for Formula One to return to Africa. South Africa is also pursuing a possible race in Cape Town or at Kyalami, with Sports Minister Gayton Mackenzie saying Rwanda’s agreement does not rule out a future South African event.
Kagame described the partnership as an investment in Rwanda’s future. However, his government faces criticism over its treatment of domestic critics and allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda has also expanded its international profile through tourism campaigns and sponsorships in football, basketball and cycling.
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