Formula 1 signs 10-year deal for all-new Rwanda Grand Prix in the early 2030s

By Vancouver Television Sports Desk

Formula 1 has announced it is returning to Africa with an all-new Grand Prix in Rwanda under a 10-year deal agreed for the early 2030s. Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said the project is the result of years of collaboration aimed at securing a long-term partner and delivering a “sustainable, world-class Grand Prix” that will endure for generations.

Domenicali said the sport has been looking to return “in the right way, with the right partner, a long-term commitment and a clear vision for creating meaningful impact.” The agreement will secure the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, marking a return to the continent for the first time since 1993, when Kyalami hosted the South African Grand Prix.

The race will be held in Bugesera, located in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, roughly 40 kilometres south of Kigali. The venue site is also described as being next door to the new Kigali International Airport, an arrangement intended to support access for fans and wider travel connections.

Plans call for construction of a new purpose-built circuit developed to FIA Grade 1 standards, designed to welcome Formula 1 racing. Design work is ongoing on the final track layout, created in collaboration between WurzDesign, led by former F1 driver Alex Wurz, and Tilke Engineers and Architects, which has been responsible for multiple circuits including Malaysia’s Sepang.

The circuit’s concept, based on an initial render of the venue, is intended to use elevation changes from the natural landscape to create a challenging driving experience. The approach reflects Rwanda’s nickname as the “Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Construction of the new venue is part of a broader sports, tourism, infrastructure and commercial development project led by the Rwanda Development Board. Beyond Formula 1, the organizers say the facility is expected to function as a year-round destination for international motorsport, major events and conferences.

The announcement also builds on Rwanda’s growing profile in international sports and events. The source notes that in 2024 Rwanda welcomed Formula 1 through the FIA Awards Ceremony, when Max Verstappen received his fourth World Championship trophy and McLaren captured their first Teams’ Championship title in more than two decades. It also points to Rwanda hosting cycling via the UCI Road World Championships, cricket through the ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy, world football via the 2023 FIFA Congress, and the Basketball Africa League.

Formula 1’s African expansion is framed against growing fan engagement across the continent. The source says there are more than 100 million F1 fans following the sport in Africa, with almost 60% of fans in key Sub-Saharan African markets under the age of 35. It also provides demographic context for Rwanda, citing a 2022 census population of 14.6 million and noting that women form the majority of the population at 51.5% (6.82 million).