Formula 1 Confirms Rwanda Grand Prix Agreement for Early 2030s

Formula 1 has signed a 10-year agreement to host the African Grand Prix in Rwanda starting in the early 2030s, returning the championship to the continent for the first time since 1993.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame announced the agreement at a ceremony in Kigali, joined by Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali and International Automobile Federation President Mohammed Ben Sulayem. The announcement establishes a permanent circuit in Bugesera, located approximately 40 kilometers south of the capital Kigali and adjacent to the upcoming Kigali International Airport.

Formula 1 has announced a landmark 10-year agreement to bring the FIA Formula One World Championship back to Africa, with the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by @visitrwanda_now, set to join the calendar in the early 2030s. The agreement marks the sport’s return to the… pic.twitter.com/nNKNP3SIgg

— https://x.com/F1Media/status/2109936799644631337

Engineering Bugesera Track Layout

Designers built the 6-kilometer, anti-clockwise track across the natural topography of two hills with a lake situated below, incorporating 17 corners to FIA Grade 1 standards by Alexander Wurz’s firm WurzDesign in collaboration with Tilke Engineering.

The layout features gradients of 12 to 13 percent, banked corners, and a roughly one-kilometer straightaway leading into a hairpin designed to encourage overtaking and strategic racing, while measuring 197 meters per lap in extreme elevation changes—nearly double the elevation gain of Spa-Francorchamps.

We're heading back to Africa 🌍Celebrating the excitement and spirit of connection with our host nation, Rwanda, through a special poem by Malaika Uwamahoro, featuring Naomi Schiff#F1 pic.twitter.com/7uRYUC07RT

— https://x.com/F1/status/2110053053973815747

Carsten Tilke and Wurz worked alongside DAR on the layout, which current drivers and world champions have already tested in team simulators. Alex Wurz explained that the design parties used the natural terrain of the site, noting that spectators will be integrated directly into the surrounding hillsides to view the action. Stefano Domenicali noted during the launch at Kigali’s BK Arena that the project overcomes a cycle where venues could not secure financing or backing without a confirmed calendar slot.

Funding African Motorsport Future

Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, noted that the event aims to transcend a single race weekend and serve as a catalyst for motorsport across the continent as part of a wider infrastructure, tourism, and commercial development project backed by the government of Rwanda and the Rwanda Development Board.

F1 returns to Africa 🙌🤩Rwanda will host the African Grand Prix from the early 2030s after signing a ten-year deal! 🇷🇼Read more 👉 https://t.co/dpeRHKvb06 pic.twitter.com/i101cKwkHC

— https://x.com/MercedesAMGF1/status/2109938367999689073

“We want to make it bigger than just Rwanda. We want to make it the moment when the sport came back to Africa and then never left.”

Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem added that the agreement represents a historic moment that can mirror the rapid motorsport growth seen in the Middle East over the past two decades. President Paul Kagame emphasized that the multi-year partnership serves as an investment in the nation’s future, bringing jobs, skills, tourism, and new business alongside the new international airport.

Rwanda has previously hosted several major international sporting events, including the UCI Road World Championships, the ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy, the 2023 FIFA Congress, the Basketball Africa League, and the 2024 FIA General Assemblies and Awards Ceremony.

Formula One F1 - General view of a worker next to a display of the Bugesera circuit on the site where it will it be — Photo: Reuters

Hamilton Campaign Realized

The agreement realizes a goal repeatedly championed by Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, who has argued that Formula 1 cannot consider itself a truly global championship without racing on the African continent.

“I’ve always said that we need to have a Grand Prix in Africa. It is, for me, the most important continent and the most beautiful continent.”

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion

Rwandan sports minister Nelly Mukazayire praised Lewis Hamilton as a very strong voice regarding Formula 1 in Africa, noting his persistent behind-the-scenes efforts over the past six or seven years. Liberty Media has pursued a race in Africa since acquiring the sport at the start of 2017, but other prospective hosts such as Morocco and South Africa faced financial hurdles or multiple competing proposals.

FIA announces Rwanda as the host of Formula1 African Grand Prix for 10 years from 2030

While South Africa also explored hosting a grand prix through proposals involving Cape Town and the Kyalami circuit, F1 ultimately selected Rwanda’s unified proposal and long-term commitment.

Setting Event Dates

Formula 1 has not set a precise inaugural date beyond the early 2030s window, leaving flexibility to fit the event into an already packed calendar capped at 24 races per season. Construction of the Bugesera circuit is tied to regional development milestones, notably the scheduled completion of the adjacent international airport in early 2028.

BREAKING: Formula 1 returns to Africa with 10 year agreement to race in RwandaThe African Grand Prix is set to join the F1 calendar in the early 2030s#F1 pic.twitter.com/IlsKseMnNa

— https://x.com/F1/status/2109937043413622963

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— https://x.com/NewTimesRwanda/status/2109974841705062523