Formula 1 and the government of Rwanda have finalized a landmark 10-year agreement to bring the FIA Formula One World Championship back to the African continent. Under the agreement, the official Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, will take place at a brand-new motorsport venue constructed in the Bugesera district.

The announcement marks a long-awaited milestone for Formula 1, which has not held a race in Africa since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. By adding Rwanda to the calendar, Formula 1 achieves its strategic vision of hosting Championship races across every inhabited continent.

Targeted for completion in the early 2030s, the event is set to put East Africa at the center of the global motorsport stage, backed by Rwanda’s high-profile national tourism campaign, Visit Rwanda.

The project centers around a purpose-built, Grade 1 permanent circuit engineered to meet the highest FIA safety and performance standards:

  1. Strategic Location: Situated in Bugesera, roughly 40 kilometers south of the capital city, Kigali.
  2. Transit Integration: Built immediately adjacent to the new Kigali International Airport, ensuring seamless international transport links for teams, media, and global fans.
  3. Multi-Use Hub: Designed as a multi-purpose ecosystem, the complex will host year-round motorsport events, international trade expos, conventions, and cultural gatherings beyond the Grand Prix weekend.

African F1 fans have celebrated the return of Formula 1 to Africa and it is clear that most will support the race in Rwanda. Some people were salty that South Africa did not get it as they already have a track and also some racist fans just did not like the idea of a race in Africa.

Judging by other International sports event on the African continent, it will be well attended especially by Africans. Also, neighbouring countries will get spillover tourism plus a share of logistics as some will connect through countries such as Kenya and South Africa.