Formula One will return to Africa in the early 2030s as Rwanda signs a 10-year deal to host a Grand Prix at a planned circuit in Bugesera.

Formula One (F1) will return to Africa in the early 2030s after the championship signed a 10-year agreement with Rwanda to host a Grand Prix, ending the continent’s absence from the racing calendar since 1993.

The announcement was made on Tuesday, with the first race expected to take place after the completion of a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, Rwanda. The agreement marks a major step in the East African country’s efforts to secure a place on the global motorsport calendar and attract international investment through sports.

“Today is a landmark moment for Formula One,” F1 president Stefano 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,” he added.

Domenicali said the championship had long sought to return to Africa through a partnership built on long-term commitment and a vision for meaningful impact.

Rwanda’s Bid and Africa’s Long Absence

Rwanda has pursued a Formula One race for several years, with President Paul Kagame formally announcing the country’s bid when it hosted a gathering of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) in December 2024.

Africa last hosted an F1 race at the South African Grand Prix in 1993, which was won by French driver Alain Prost. The return to Rwanda will bring the championship back to a continent it has not visited for more than three decades.

Kagame welcomed the agreement, describing it as a milestone for Africa and its motorsport fans.

“Today belongs to Africa,” he said.

“For more than three decades, the world’s premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent, and that changes with this agreement.”

The Rwandan president said the partnership could create opportunities for other African countries to host races in the future, adding that the agreement demonstrated that expanding the championship’s presence across the continent was achievable.

Sports Investment and Rwanda’s Global Image

Rwanda has increasingly used international sporting partnerships and major events to promote tourism, attract investors and strengthen its global profile. The country has secured sponsorship agreements with football clubs, including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, and partnered with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to establish itself as a hub for the Basketball Africa League.

It also hosted the UCI Road World Championships in 2025, further strengthening its position as a destination for international sporting events.

However, Rwanda’s sports strategy has drawn criticism from observers who describe it as “sports-washing”, arguing that high-profile events and partnerships can divert attention from allegations of human rights abuses and restrictions on political opposition and dissent.

Others have challenged the criticism, arguing that countries hosting major sporting events are not always subjected to the same scrutiny over their human rights records.

Hamilton Welcomes Africa’s Return to F1

The announcement is also likely to be welcomed by Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, who has repeatedly called for the championship to return to Africa.

Hamilton backed Rwanda’s plans in 2024 and described the country as one of his favourite places.

South Africa had also been pursuing a return to the F1 calendar. However, its sports minister, Gayton McKenzie, acknowledged last week that Rwanda had worked on its bid for longer and deserved recognition for its efforts.

In a post on X, McKenzie said South Africa should not be ruled out, noting that some countries host more than one Grand Prix in a season.

He expressed confidence that South Africa could still secure a race before 2030, suggesting that Rwanda’s agreement would not necessarily prevent another African country from joining the calendar.

The planned Rwandan Grand Prix will represent a significant moment for African motorsport, although its delivery will depend on completing the new circuit and meeting the requirements for hosting a Formula One event.

AFP