Rwanda’s 10-year agreement to host the African Grand Prix is expected to attract investment, boost tourism and create opportunities for the wider continent.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has described the country’s agreement to host a Formula One Grand Prix as an opportunity to attract investment, create jobs and strengthen Africa’s presence in global sport.
Kagame made the remarks on Tuesday, October 13, following the announcement that Rwanda had secured a 10-year agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, with the race expected to join the championship calendar in the early 2030s. <Cite refs={["turn959490search0","turn959490news22"]} />
The deal will bring Formula One back to Africa for the first time since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. The race will be held on a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, about 40 kilometres south of Kigali, near the new Kigali International Airport. <Cite refs={["turn959490search2","turn959490search3"]} />
Speaking after the announcement, Kagame said Rwanda viewed the project in the context of the continent’s broader ambitions rather than as a benefit for the country alone.
“I'm not looking at just Rwanda alone. We're looking at Rwanda in the context of a continent,” he said.
Kagame said Rwanda had built experience in hosting major international sporting events and wanted to use the Formula One agreement to expand Africa’s participation in global sport and create opportunities beyond race weekends.
He cited events such as the Basketball Africa League, the FIA General Assembly and the UCI Road World Championships as examples of Rwanda’s efforts to attract international competitions.
The president also said private-sector participation would be important to the project, with investors expected to contribute to its development and the economic opportunities surrounding it.
He urged sceptics to consider the potential benefits for Rwanda and the wider continent.
“It's Rwandan, it's African. And it's a big deal that we are very happy to be associated with,” Kagame said.
Formula One President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali described the agreement as a landmark moment for the championship, thanking Kagame and other partners for their commitment to bringing the sport back to Africa.
“Today is not only a special moment for F1, but it is a special moment for Africa and for Rwanda,” Domenicali said.
He said the agreement would bring the championship closer to African fans, who have waited more than three decades for a race to return to the continent.
The deal also means Formula One will have a race on every inhabited continent once Rwanda joins the calendar, according to the championship. <Cite refs={["turn959490search0","turn959490search4"]} />
The new circuit will be developed to FIA Grade 1 standards. Its design is being undertaken by WurzDesign, led by former Formula One driver Alex Wurz, in collaboration with Tilke Engineers and Architects. <Cite refs={["turn959490search2"]} />
The inaugural race date has not yet been announced. Formula One expects the circuit to be completed in the early 2030s, after which the Grand Prix can be staged.
The project forms part of Rwanda’s broader strategy to use international sporting events to attract tourists, encourage investment and support infrastructure and commercial development.
Beyond hosting the race itself, the planned venue is intended to create longer-term opportunities for local businesses, tourism operators and people seeking skills and employment in the sports industry.
For Rwanda, the challenge will be to turn the 10-year agreement into lasting economic benefits while completing the circuit and supporting infrastructure needed to host a Formula One event.