Formula 1 is set to return to Africa for the first time in more than three decades, after the signing of a 10-year deal to host the Grand Prix in Rwanda in the early 2030s.
The proposed Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, will take place at a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, in the country’s Eastern Province, about 40 kilometres south of the capital, Kigali, and near the new Kigali International Airport.
The last Formula 1 race on the continent was held at South Africa’s Kyalami circuit in 1993.
F1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali says the sport has been working for years to find the right partner to support its return to Africa.
“Africa has always been part of Formula 1’s future, and from the beginning we were determined to return in the right way, with the right partner, a long-term commitment and a clear vision for creating meaningful impact”.
What will the new circuit look like?
The new circuit is being designed to meet FIA Grade 1 standards, which are required to host Formula 1 races.
The final layout is still being developed through a collaboration between WurzDesign, headed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz, and Tilke Engineers and Architects, the firm behind several international racing circuits.
The design is expected to make use of Rwanda’s natural elevation changes to create a challenging racing experience.
The circuit forms part of a wider sports, tourism, infrastructure and commercial development project led by the Rwanda Development Board. The venue is also intended to host other motorsport events, major gatherings and conferences throughout the year.
FIRST LOOK! The plans for the purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, Rwanda 🇷🇼
Located 40 kilometres south of Kigali, the circuit will be designed to work in harmony with the natural landscape and use the area’s elevation changes to create a unique and challenging racing experience
#F1
— Formula 1 (@F1) October 13, 2026
Why Rwanda?
Rwanda has already hosted several major international sporting events, including the FIA Awards Ceremony in 2024, where Max Verstappen collected his fourth world championship trophy.
The country has also hosted the UCI Road World Championships, the FIFA Congress in 2023 and international basketball and cricket events.
Formula 1 says the return to Africa also reflects the continent’s growing fanbase, with more than 100 million fans across Africa already following the sport.
What have the drivers said?
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has previously called for Formula 1 to return to Africa.
“I’ve always said that we need to have a Grand Prix in Africa. It is, for me, the most important continent and the most beautiful continent,” Hamilton said before the announcement.
“We’re on all the other continents but not that one, and there should be no reason for it.”
Four-time world champion Verstappen has also expressed support for the prospect of racing in Africa, saying he hoped the plans could move forward.
Mercedes driver George Russell, meanwhile, said Africa’s absence from the calendar needed to change.
“Formula 1 is a worldwide sport. Africa is the only [inhabited] continent we don’t race on, and it’s about time we had a race there,” Russell said.
When will the Rwanda Grand Prix take place?
Although the 10-year agreement has been announced, the exact race date, construction milestones and race-weekend details have yet to be confirmed.
The event is expected to mark Formula 1’s first return to African soil since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.
