Formula 1 has signed a 10-year agreement to bring the African Grand Prix to Rwanda in the early 2030s, marking the championship's return to Africa for the first time since 1993.
The announcement was made on October 13, 2026, by Formula 1, with the race planned for a new circuit in Bugesera, about 40 kilometres south of Kigali and next to the new Kigali International Airport.
The event will be known as the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda. However, the first race date has not yet been announced because the circuit must be built before the championship can race there.
The planned track is expected to meet FIA Grade 1 standards, which are required for Formula 1 circuits. Its design will use the area's natural hills to create a challenging racing layout. Former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz's design company, WurzDesign, and Tilke Engineers and Architects are involved in the project.
The circuit is also planned as a venue for events beyond Formula 1 race weekends. According to the announcement, it could host other motorsport competitions, concerts, conferences and major events as part of a wider development project led by the Rwanda Development Board.
Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said the agreement followed years of work to find the right partner and establish a long-term plan for the sport's return to Africa. He also highlighted opportunities for tourism, investment, skills development and local businesses.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame said the project was intended to create opportunities for young people and businesses while bringing more visitors to the country. These are stated goals of the partnership, although the project's final economic impact will depend on how it is developed and operated.
Formula 1 last held a race in Africa at South Africa's Kyalami circuit in 1993. The return will bring the championship back to a continent that the sport says has more than 100 million fans.
Rwanda has hosted several international sporting events in recent years, including the 2025 UCI Road World Championships and the 2024 FIA Awards Ceremony. Hosting a Formula 1 race would add another major international event to the country's sports calendar.
For Rwandan fans, the announcement brings the prospect of watching Formula 1 racing closer to home. It could also create opportunities for local businesses and young people interested in engineering, event management and motorsport, although the scale of those benefits is not yet known.
The next major steps are the development of the Bugesera circuit and the announcement of the inaugural race date. Formula 1 says further details about construction milestones and race-weekend plans will be shared later.
