Formula 1 announced on October 13, 2026 a 10-year agreement to race in Rwanda, with the sport returning to the African continent for the first time since 1993. The series will race at a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, near Kigali, once construction is complete in the early 2030s.
Formula 1 confirmed on October 13, 2026 that it has signed a 10-year agreement to bring the FIA Formula One World Championship to Rwanda, marking the sport's first race on the African continent since 1993, according to the official announcement published on Formula1.com.
Where and when the race will be held
The new circuit will be built in Bugesera, roughly 40 kilometres south of the capital Kigali, next to the site of the new Kigali International Airport, Formula1.com reported. Racing is expected to begin in the early 2030s, once the purpose-built venue is completed; no specific calendar date has been set, motorsport outlet the-race.com reported.
The track is being designed to meet FIA Grade 1 standards, the certification required for a circuit to host a Formula 1 world championship round, Formula1.com reported.
The Rwanda Development Board is leading a wider project around the circuit that Formula1.com described as covering sports, tourism, infrastructure and commercial development, with the stated aims of driving economic growth, attracting investment and developing local motorsport talent.
Why Rwanda, not South Africa's Kyalami
Formula 1's last race on African soil was the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, near Johannesburg, on March 14, 1993, won by Alain Prost for Williams-Renault, according to Wikipedia's entry on the race. F1 had pursued a return to Kyalami for years, but the-race.com reported that talks stalled partly because the circuit struggled to meet the FIA Grade 1 requirement, and that Rwanda ultimately emerged as the more workable partner.
F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali was quoted by Formula1.com saying the Rwanda deal means that "with Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent." The-race.com separately quoted him describing the agreement as a "landmark moment" reached "the right way, with the right partner."
Reactions from officials and drivers
Today belongs to Africa. This 10-year partnership is also an investment in Rwanda's future.
— Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, quoted by Formula1.com
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the return of the championship to Africa "a historic moment" in the Formula1.com statement, and separately told the-race.com it was "an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport."
Before the deal was finalised, several current drivers had voiced support for a return to Africa. Lewis Hamilton told ESPN, "We're on all the other continents but that one and there should be no reason for it," adding he had been advocating for the race behind the scenes. Max Verstappen, who has previously visited Rwanda, told ESPN "if that's possible that would be great," while George Russell also backed an African round, noting the continent remained the only one without an F1 event, per ESPN.
What is still unknown
Formula1.com has not published an exact year or calendar slot for the first Rwanda race beyond the "early 2030s" timeframe, and construction of the Bugesera circuit had not begun at the time of the announcement. Formula1.com cited market research indicating Africa has more than 100 million F1 fans, with nearly 60% of audiences under the age of 35 in key Sub-Saharan markets, as part of the rationale for the expansion.
Questions
When will Formula 1 race in Rwanda for the first time?
F1 and Rwanda have agreed a 10-year deal starting in the "early 2030s," but Formula1.com has not announced an exact year or race date.
Where will the Rwanda Grand Prix circuit be located?
The purpose-built track will be in Bugesera, about 40 kilometres south of Kigali, next to the site of the new Kigali International Airport, according to Formula1.com.
When did Formula 1 last race in Africa?
F1's most recent African race was the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami on March 14, 1993, won by Alain Prost for Williams-Renault, according to Wikipedia.
Why didn't F1 return to South Africa's Kyalami instead?
The-race.com reported that F1 pursued Kyalami for years but talks were complicated by the FIA Grade 1 certification requirement, and Rwanda proved the more viable partner.
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