Formula 1 has officially announced a landmark 10-year agreement with Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix starting in the early 2030s. The historic move marks F1’s long-awaited return to the African continent for the first time since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.
The race will take place on a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, located around 40 kilometres south of the capital city, Kigali. Designed to integrate with Rwanda’s expanding infrastructure and new international airport developments, the track is set to become Africa’s premier motorsport destination.
A Missing Piece of the Global Calendar
F1 President Stefano Domenicali, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and Rwandan President Paul Kagame formally presented the project, sealing a deal that motorsport fans and drivers have campaigned for over many years.
“For more than three decades, the world’s premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent, and that changes with this agreement,” said President Kagame. “This announcement belongs to Africa.”
With Africa hosting an estimated 100 million F1 fans—almost 60% of whom are under the age of 35—the sport is tapping into one of its fastest-growing, youngest demographics.
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[ LOCATION ] [ TIMELINE ] [ DURATION ]
Bugesera, Rwanda Early 2030s onwards 10-Year Deal
(40 km south of Kigali) (Pending track build) (Multi-year contract)
Why Rwanda Beat South Africa to the Deal
While South Africa’s Kyalami circuit was long tipped to be the frontrunner for an F1 comeback, progress stalled over required FIA Grade 1 circuit upgrades and funding guarantees.
Rwanda, by contrast, presented a fully government-backed proposal aimed at turning the country into a global sports tourism hub. The country has already hosted major international sporting events, including:
- 2023: FIFA Congress in Kigali
- 2024: FIA General Assemblies & Awards Ceremony
- 2025: UCI Road World Championships
- Annual: Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals
The dedicated government strategy and commitment to building a brand-new FIA Grade 1 facility in Bugesera gave Rwanda the edge over alternative bids.
Calendar Squeeze: What Does This Mean for Current Races?
Formula 1’s current race calendar is capped at a maximum of 24 Grands Prix. With the addition of Rwanda in the early 2030s, several existing European or traditional venues whose contracts expire over the coming years could come under pressure to rotate or step aside.
| Race / Venue | Current Contract Expiry | Potential Impact |
| Dutch GP (Zandvoort) | 2026 | Renewal not confirmed; highly vulnerable |
| Belgian GP (Spa) / Italian GP (Monza) | 2031 | European races may be forced into rotation schemes |
| Mexican GP / Portuguese GP | 2028 | Will need renewals before the 2030 shift |
| African GP (Rwanda) | 2030+ | Secured long-term 10-year deal |
What’s Next?
Construction on the Bugesera facility is expected to begin in the coming years, with circuit designs, exact date windows, and milestone targets to be confirmed by the FIA and F1 organizers in due course.
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