Rwanda Secures 10-Year Deal to Host Formula 1 African Grand Prix.

The race, to be known as the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, is expected to join the championship calendar in the early 2030s, following the construction of a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera District, near the new Kigali International Airport. 

The agreement was announced in Kigali on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at a ceremony attended by President Paul Kagame, Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali, and International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. 

Rwanda’s selection marks a significant milestone for Formula 1, which last held a race on the African continent in South Africa in 1993. The new event will restore Africa’s place on the championship calendar after more than three decades.

Speaking at the announcement, President Kagame said Rwanda had been working hard to prepare to host the race and welcomed the opportunity to help shape the future of motorsport in Africa. 

“Rwanda has been working very hard towards hosting the African Grand Prix,” Kagame said, describing the agreement as a milestone for the continent. 

He added that the partnership would extend beyond a single racing event, with the circuit expected to generate employment, develop skills, attract tourists and stimulate business opportunities for Rwanda and the wider region.

Domenicali described the agreement as the beginning of a new chapter in Formula 1’s history, noting that Africa had long been missing from the championship’s global footprint.

He said Formula 1 had wanted to return to the continent for years but was determined to do so with the right partner and a long-term vision. Rwanda, he said, would help the sport reach new audiences and create lasting economic and social benefits.

The first race will take place once a new circuit meeting FIA Grade 1 standards has been completed in Bugesera, approximately 40 kilometres south of Kigali and next to the new international airport under construction. The Grade 1 certification is required for a circuit to host Formula 1 races. 

The circuit will be designed to follow the area’s natural landscape, using its varying elevations to create a challenging track for drivers while providing spectators with clear views of the racing action.

Beyond Formula 1, the venue is intended to host other international motorsport competitions, major events, conferences and entertainment activities throughout the year. The project forms part of a broader development programme led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), focused on sports, tourism, infrastructure and business.

The agreement follows several years of discussions and preparations. President Kagame formally announced Rwanda’s bid to host Formula 1 in December 2024, when the country hosted FIA meetings in Kigali. Rwanda had been competing with other African destinations, including South Africa, for the opportunity to bring the championship back to the continent. 

Rwanda has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for major international sporting events. It has hosted competitions and gatherings including the UCI Road World Championships, the Basketball Africa League and the 2023 FIFA Congress, as well as the 2024 FIA General Assemblies and FIA Awards Ceremony

The African Grand Prix is expected to strengthen the country’s efforts to attract international visitors and investment while creating opportunities for local businesses and young people interested in motorsport-related careers.

However, the exact date of the inaugural race, the circuit’s construction milestones and the schedule of activities for race weekends have not yet been announced. Formula 1 and the FIA say further details will be released in due course.