Formula 1 is returning to the African continent for the first time in over thirty years after agreement was reached on a ten-year deal to host the African Grand Prix in Rwanda starting in the early 2030s, motorsport.nextgen-auto.com reported. The deal was concluded on Tuesday, October 13.
Rwanda Secures Ten-Year Hosting Deal After Years of Negotiations
The announcement follows public lobbying by Paul Kagame that began in August 2024, according to coverage by Courrier international citing regional reports. Formula 1 Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali called the agreement one of the most important days in the history of the championship. Previously, only two African nations had ever hosted a world championship round: Morocco held a single race in 1958 at the Aïn-Diab circuit, while South Africa hosted 23 grands prix primarily at Kyalami, with the last race taking place in 1993. The official announcement was made by Paul Kagame alongside Stefano Domenicali, President of F1, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.
Rwanda and F1 has announced a 10-year deal for a new African Grand Prix in Kigali, which will first be held in 2030 at the earliest ⬇️https://t.co/oHkMeordqC
New Circuit Planned Near Kigali in Bugesera
The race will take place on a circuit built specially for the occasion in Bugesera, located approximately 40 kilometers south of Kigali and near a new airport, motorsport.nextgen-auto.com reported. Officially named Grand Prix d’Afrique de formule 1, the sources do not support the track’s length, number of corners, or direction.
Amnesty International Raises Human Rights Concerns Over the Agreement
The announcement drew immediate criticism from human rights organizations. Ouest-France reported that Amnesty International accused Formula 1 of participating in sportwashing, with Felix Jakens, head of campaigns for Amnesty UK, stating that the Rwandan government uses major global sports events to distract from its human rights record, citing arbitrary detentions and restrictions on freedom of expression. Felix Jakens also noted that the authorities frequently commit acts of torture, and argued that a ten-year grand prix presented by Visit Rwanda serves as a sportwashing trophy for the authorities. The Visit Rwanda brand already maintains a presence in sports through a partnership with Paris Saint-Germain, appearing on the club’s jerseys.
Economic Projections and Broader Sporting Ambitions
Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika noted that the event aims to generate broad regional engagement, adopting the title African Grand Prix rather than a national designation. Government officials project that the event and its anticipated 100,000-seat capacity circuit will draw substantial tourist and business traffic, building on the country’s hosting of the 2024 FIA awards ceremony and the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
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