According to an announcement on the FIA website on October 13, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the Formula 1 management company officially announced a ten-year agreement with the Rwanda government. It is planned that the Formula 1 African Grand Prix will be held in Rwanda in the future. This marks the return of Formula 1 races to Africa after 1993, and Rwanda will host this world-class motorsport event for the first time.
International Automobile Federation's page theme poster
The International Automobile Federation stated on its official website that, according to the agreement, Rwanda will build a circuit that meets the standards of the FIA’s Class 1 circuit near the New Kigali International Airport, about 40 kilometers south of Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. The construction is part of a comprehensive project led by the Rwanda Development Commission, which includes sports, tourism, infrastructure, and commercial development initiatives. The project is expected to be completed in the early 2030s, and it will host the country’s first F1 race. In addition, the racing circuit will be open throughout the year for various international motorsport events, large-scale events, and international conferences, aiming to promote regional economic growth and investment.
Rwanda New Track Design Concept Visualization
Formula 1 Championship Company President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said that this is a "milestone moment" for F1, marking the event's move to be held on every inhabited continent, bringing fans from all over the world closer than ever before. Domenicali also expressed his gratitude to Rwanda President Paul Kagame, the Rwanda government, the Rwanda Development Board, FIA President Mohamed Ben Sulaimani, and all those who contributed to this achievement.
Rwandan President Kagame stated that for nearly three decades, the world’s top automobile events have been unable to take place on the African continent. This agreement changes all that. Rwanda is honored to host the F1 African Grand Prix and share it with over 100 million fans across Africa. Many of these young people will watch this sport in their hometowns and have the opportunity to participate. They may become engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, and future racers. The infrastructure such as the Bugresela track will also create employment opportunities, technological advancements, tourism development, and new business opportunities for Rwanda and related regions in the coming decades. Kagame also expressed his gratitude to Dominique and Surajem.
The first African country to host an F1 race in history was Morocco. In 1958, Morocco held an F1 race outside Casablanca. Starting from 1962, South Africa became the second African country to host an F1 race. After the last event in 1993, no more F1 races were held in Africa. This agreement also marks Rwanda as the third African country to host a Formula One championship.
