KIGALI — Rwanda has signed a 10-year deal with Formula 1 to host the African Grand Prix from the early 2030s on a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, 25 miles south of Kigali and next to the city's new international airport. The event will be the first F1 race in Africa since 1993, with the track designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz to exploit Rwanda's natural landscape and elevation changes.
F1 said the project follows "years of collaboration to ensure the right foundations, with the best partner, are in place to deliver a successful, sustainable and world-class grand prix for generations to come". The circuit has been "designed to work in harmony with the natural landscape, using the area's elevation changes to create a unique and challenging racing experience while delivering exceptional viewing opportunities for fans". President Paul Kagame said: "For more than three decades, the world's premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent, and that changes with this agreement." F1 president Stefano Domenicali called it "a landmark moment for F1" that will mean the sport is racing "on every inhabited continent", adding: "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."
The build will be overseen by three companies, with long-time F1 track architect Tilke and DAR working alongside WurzDesign as creator of the circuit. It is designed to be fast and flowing, with significant elevation change using the natural contours of Rwanda's hilly landscape. F1 hopes the race will expand its profile in Africa, a relatively unexplored market compared to Europe, Asia and the Americas. It has not yet been established where the race may best fit into the schedule, though the sport is likely to want to avoid the main rain season from March to May, with a shorter, less disruptive season from October to November. F1 remains committed to keeping the season at no more than 24 races.
The race is likely to be controversial, with Rwanda previously accused of sportswashing, as has been the case with its sponsorship of Premier League clubs Arsenal and Aston Villa, who have faced criticism over Visit Rwanda deals. Rwanda's neighbour, the Democratic Republic of Congo, has filed a case against the country at the International Court of Justice, accusing it of breaching multiple international treaties covering genocide prevention, racial discrimination, women's rights and torture. A spokesperson for F1 said: "We have the opportunity to inspire and bring the passion of F1 to 100 million people across Africa and sport can be a positive force for good."
The first grand prix in Africa was the final round of the World Championship in Morocco in 1958. South Africa then hosted races from 1960-66 in East London, now known as KuGompo City, before the race moved to Kyalami near Johannesburg from 1976-85, with Kyalami returning for two further races in 1992 and 1993 as apartheid was coming to an end. South Africa have held talks with F1 in recent years about a return at venues including Kyalami and Cape Town, but a deal has not proved possible. The announcement follows F1's historic 10-year Rwanda deal for the African Grand Prix and underlines the sport's long-term commitment to returning to the continent.