Rwanda has secured a 10-year agreement to host a Formula 1 race, known as the African Grand Prix, starting in 2030.
The agreement was announced on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, during a ceremony at BK Arena attended by government officials and other stakeholders.
The event brought together President Paul Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame, Formula 1 Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA).
Africa last hosted a Formula 1 race in 1993, when the competition was held in South Africa, marking more than three decades without a Grand Prix on the continent.
President Kagame described Rwanda’s selection as a source of pride and thanked Formula 1 and the FIA for their confidence and partnership in making the project possible.
“It is an honour and a source of pride for Rwanda to have been selected as a host country for a Formula 1 race in the annual racing calendar,” he said.
Kagame added that the project goes beyond building infrastructure for the competition, aiming instead to establish a sustainable economic model that creates multiple sources of revenue and spreads benefits to communities across the country.
He said Africa had the potential to raise the profile and quality of motorsport on the continent.
“This partnership has been a long time coming, and it is a victory for the entire African continent. What we need is for the African Grand Prix to pave the way for more races to be held on this continent,” he said.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem welcomed the development, praising Rwanda’s progress and the leadership behind the initiative.
“I congratulate President Paul Kagame on this major milestone for his country, and I thank Stefano Domenicali and everyone involved in the partnership that has made this possible,” he said.
Ben Sulayem said the agreement was intended to leave a lasting legacy, inspire young people, nurture talent and create new opportunities in motorsport across Africa and beyond.
“Expanding people’s access to this sport is one of the FIA’s core objectives. We have a responsibility to ensure that the sport continues to develop at every level, reaches new communities and creates opportunities for people from all parts of the world,” he said.
Bugesera circuit planned
Rwanda’s first Formula 1 race will take place after a dedicated motorsport circuit is completed in Bugesera District. The facility is expected to be ready in early 2030.
The circuit will be designed to meet the FIA’s requirements for hosting Formula 1 races. It forms part of a broader initiative to develop sports, tourism, infrastructure and business, led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The facility will be located about 40 kilometres south of Kigali, near Bugesera International Airport. Its design will take the local terrain into account, including elevated and sloping sections, to create an exciting racing experience for competitors and spectators.
Beyond Formula 1, the circuit is expected to host other international motorsport competitions, major events, conferences and entertainment activities. These uses are intended to support long-term economic growth and attract investment to the surrounding area.
The decision to bring Formula 1 to Rwanda comes as the competition continues to expand globally and seek new audiences.
Available figures indicate that Formula 1 has more than 100 million fans across Africa, with nearly 60 per cent of its followers in sub-Saharan African countries aged below 35.
Rwanda already hosts several major international sporting events, including the UCI Road World Championships, the ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy and the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The country also hosted the 2023 FIFA Congress and the FIA Annual General Assemblies in 2024, alongside the federation’s awards ceremony.
Hosting Formula 1 could raise Rwanda’s international profile, boost tourism and create further opportunities for investment and motorsport development.
The agreement also marks a potential return of Formula 1 to Africa after more than 30 years, with expectations that the event will attract new fans and help develop African talent in the sport.
President Paul Kagame announced that Rwanda would host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix starting in 2030.
