Rwanda has signed a 10-year deal with Formula 1 to host races, starting “in the early 2030s”. The event will be called the African Grand Prix and will be the first F1 race in Africa since 1993.
It will be held on a new, purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, 25 miles south of the capital Kigali and next to the city’s new international airport. F1 said the project follows “years of collaboration to ensure the right foundations, with the best partner, are in place to deliver a successful, sustainable and world-class grand prix for generations to come”.
BREAKING: Formula 1 returns to Africa with 10 year agreement to race in Rwanda
The African Grand Prix is set to join the F1 calendar in the early 2030s
#F1 https://t.co/IlsKseMnNa
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 13, 2026
The track is designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz. According to the statement, it has been “designed to work in harmony with the natural landscape, using the area’s elevation changes to create a unique and challenging racing experience while delivering exceptional viewing opportunities for fans”.
For F1, this is also about growth. The sport hopes the race will raise its profile in Africa, a relatively unexplored market compared with Europe, Asia and the Americas. It hasn’t yet been decided where the race will fit in the calendar.
The race is likely to be controversial, as Rwanda has previously been accused of sportswashing.
