Formula 1 announces return to Africa with Grand Prix in Rwanda
Joining the calendar in the early 2030s, the African Grand Prix will take place at a purpose built venue outside Rwanda’s capital city
Published
13 OCT 2026
Est. reading time
2 min
Formula 1 is heading back to Africa for the first time since 1993.
The Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, has been confirmed under a landmark 10-year agreement, with the race set to join the calendar in the early 2030s.
The home of the new Grand Prix will be a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, around 40 kilometres south of Kigali and next to the new Kigali International Airport. Developed to FIA Grade 1 standards as part of a wider sports, tourism and commercial project led by the Rwanda Development Board, the track will use the area’s natural elevation changes to deliver a challenging lap and exceptional viewing for fans. The first race will take place once it is complete, which is expected to be early in the next decade.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of F1, said: “Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1. With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent, bringing the World Championship closer than ever to fans around the globe.
“For our fans, this is an especially exciting moment. Africa is home to more than 100 million Formula 1 fans, and that number continues to grow rapidly. We are bringing the excitement, energy and drama of Formula 1 closer to millions of people who have waited a long time to see our sport return to the continent, and we look forward to writing an exciting new chapter together.”
Away from race weekends, the new venue is intended to operate as a year-round destination for international motorsport, major events, conferences and entertainment.
An early render of how the African Grand Prix venue in Rwanda might look
The audience is already there. More than 100 million fans follow F1 across Africa, and almost 60% of fans in key Sub-Saharan African markets are under the age of 35. Rwanda, meanwhile, has built a strong record of hosting global events, including the UCI Road World Championships and the Basketball Africa League.
Further details on the inaugural race date, circuit development milestones and race weekend plans will be announced in due course.
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