Formula 1 will officially return to Africa for the first time since 1993 after signing a landmark 10-year agreement to host the African Grand Prix in Rwanda.
Presented by Visit Rwanda, the event will join the calendar early in the next decade once a new purpose-built venue in Bugesera is complete.
Located roughly 40 kilometers south of Kigali and adjacent to the new Kigali International Airport, the circuit will be built to FIA Grade 1 standards.
The deal fulfills F1’s long-standing goal of racing across all inhabited continents, tapping into an African fan base that already exceeds 100 million people.
A milestone for F1
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, hailed the announcement as a historic milestone for the championship.
“Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1,” Domenicali said. “With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent, bringing the World Championship closer than ever to fans around the globe.
“Africa has always been part of Formula 1’s future, and from the beginning we were determined to return in the right way, with the right partner, a long-term commitment and a clear vision for creating meaningful impact.
“I would like to thank His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, the Government of Rwanda, the Rwanda Development Board, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and everyone whose dedication and collaboration have made this possible.”
“This is about much more than hosting a Grand Prix. Together, we can create lasting economic and social benefits through tourism, investment, skills development and local business growth, ensuring the positive impact of this event is felt for generations.
“For our fans, this is an especially exciting moment. Africa is home to more than 100 million Formula 1 fans, and that number continues to grow rapidly.
“We are bringing the excitement, energy and drama of Formula 1 closer to millions of people who have waited a long time to see our sport return to the continent, and we look forward to writing an exciting new chapter together.
Building a motorsport future with F1 African GP
His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, highlighted the broader cultural and economic significance for the continent.
“Today belongs to Africa. For more than three decades, the world’s premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent, and that changes with this agreement,” Kagame stated.
“Rwanda is proud to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, and to share this moment with more than 100 million fans across Africa, many of them young people who deserve to see the sport at home and to see themselves in it: as engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs and, one day, drivers.
“This 10-year partnership is also an investment in Rwanda’s future. The circuit in Bugesera, alongside the new international airport, will bring jobs, skills, tourism and new business to our country and our region for decades to come, because our aim was never a single race weekend, but a lasting benefit for our people.
“I thank Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 and Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the work that has brought us to this day. We look forward to welcoming the world to Rwanda for the African Grand Prix.”
Expanding Motorsport access
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasised the governing body’s role in constructing the new circuit and expanding global motorsport access.
“The return of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship to Africa is a historic moment for our sport and an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport,” Ben Sulayem said.
“Rwanda has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering a world-class event, and the FIA will work closely with FOM and our partners as this new circuit is developed to the highest international standards.
“This agreement is also about creating a lasting legacy, inspiring new generations, developing talent and opening new opportunities for motorsport across Africa and beyond. Increasing accessibility is at the heart of the FIA’s mission, and we have a responsibility to ensure that our sport continues to grow at every level, reaching new communities and creating opportunities for people in every corner of the world.
“I congratulate President Paul Kagame on this landmark moment for his nation and share my thanks with Stefano Domenicali and all those whose collaboration has made this exciting new chapter possible.”
Further details regarding circuit construction milestones and the exact inaugural race date will be released in due course.
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