Panorama Sports
Rwanda will bring Formula 1 back to Africa after more than three decades, with a 10-year agreement to host the African Grand Prix expected to boost tourism, attract investment and create jobs through a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, Rwanda.
Formula 1 (F1) announces on October 13, 2026, that the championship will return to the continent for the first time since 1993, with Rwanda set to join the calendar in the early 2030s following completion of the new circuit.
President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, described the agreement as an investment in Rwanda’s future, highlighting its potential to create lasting economic opportunities while giving African fans greater access to the sport.
“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,” President Kagame says.
“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,” he adds.
Kagame says that the 10-year partnership would deliver benefits beyond the race itself, particularly through employment, tourism, skills development and business opportunities.
“This ten-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,” he says.
He thanked Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem for their roles in securing the agreement, adding that Rwanda looked forward to welcoming the world for the African Grand Prix.
The race will take place on a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera District, south of Kigali and near the new Bugesera International Airport. The project is expected to strengthen Rwanda’s international sporting profile and attract motorsport fans, teams, sponsors and international media.
The circuit is expected to be developed to meet the highest international motorsport standards, with its design and construction intended to provide a challenging racing experience while accommodating spectators and major international events.
Beyond race weekends, the project could create demand for hotels, restaurants, transport services, construction, event management and other businesses. It could also open opportunities for young people to develop technical and professional skills in engineering, motorsport and related industries.
FIA highlights Africa’s motorsport future
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), described Formula 1’s return to Africa as a historic moment for the sport and an opportunity to expand motorsport development across the continent.
“The return of the FIA Formula One World Championship to Africa is a historic moment for our sport and an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport,” Ben Sulayem says.
He says the FIA would work with Formula 1 Management (FOM) and other partners to ensure the circuit meets international standards. Ben Sulayem also emphasises the importance of creating opportunities for emerging talent and making motorsport accessible to more communities.
“This agreement is also about creating a lasting legacy, inspiring new generations, developing talent and opening new opportunities for motorsport across Africa and beyond,” he says.
“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.”
He congratulated Kagame on the agreement and acknowledged the collaboration between Rwanda, Formula 1 and the FIA.
Formula 1 eyes long-term impact
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said Rwanda’s inclusion in the championship calendar would extend the sport’s global reach and strengthen its connection with African fans.
“Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1. 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,” Domenicali says.
He said Formula 1 had sought to return to Africa through a long-term partnership capable of generating meaningful benefits. “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,” he says.
Domenicali thanked President Kagame, the Rwandan Government, the Rwanda Development Board, Ben Sulayem and other partners involved in the agreement. He says that the project would focus on benefits beyond hosting the Grand Prix, including tourism, investment, skills development and business growth.
“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,” Domenicali adds.
Economic opportunities and challenges
For Rwanda, hosting Formula 1 represents an opportunity to expand tourism, attract international investment and strengthen its position as a destination for major global events.
However, the scale of the economic benefits will depend on project financing, construction costs, operational arrangements and the ability to attract visitors and investment beyond race weekend.
Preparations will also need to address circuit safety, transport, accommodation and spectator facilities, alongside coordination with Formula 1’s international calendar.
The project’s long-term success will depend on ensuring that investment in the circuit and supporting infrastructure delivers sustainable benefits for local communities and businesses.
As Rwanda prepares to host the African Grand Prix in the early 2030s, the challenge will be to translate global attention into lasting gains in employment, tourism, skills development and private-sector growth.
The race could become a major milestone for Rwanda and African motorsport, provided its economic and social benefits extend well beyond the circuit and race weekend.