Rwanda to host a Grand Prix in 2030s as Formula One returns to Africa

What the report says

Rwanda has secured a 10-year agreement to host a Formula One Grand Prix in the early 2030s, marking the sport’s planned return to Africa for the first time since 1993, according to Al Jazeera. The announcement was made in Kigali by President Paul Kagame during a ceremony attended by Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The race is planned for a purpose-built circuit near Bugesera International Airport, about 40 kilometers south of Kigali. Al Jazeera reported that the track design is being handled by former Formula One driver Alex Wurz’s firm and will stretch more than six kilometers, with 17 corners, an anti-clockwise layout and significant elevation changes. It is expected to meet FIA Grade 1 standards and could also be used for other motorsport events and major gatherings.

Kagame described the project as a long-anticipated partnership and a milestone for the continent. Domenicali called Africa the missing part of Formula One’s global presence, while Ben Sulayem said the move was a point of pride for the sport. The report also noted that Lewis Hamilton has long advocated for an African Grand Prix. The development matters because it would bring Formula One back to a continent that has been absent from the calendar for decades and could boost Rwanda’s profile in international sport and infrastructure.