KIGALI, Rwanda — October 13, 2026 — Formula 1 will return to Africa for the first time since 1993 after signing a 10-year agreement with Rwanda to host the African Grand Prix from the early 2030s.

The agreement, announced on Tuesday, will see Rwanda join the global motorsport championship calendar with a new race at a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, approximately 40 kilometres south of the capital, Kigali. The event will be known as the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda.

The announcement was made in Kigali in the presence of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali, and International Automobile Federation (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The inaugural race will take place once construction of the circuit is completed. The venue is planned near the new Kigali International Airport and will be developed to meet FIA Grade 1 standards, the highest classification required to host Formula 1 races.

Further details, including the opening race date, construction milestones and race-weekend arrangements, are expected to be announced later.

Rwanda targets tourism and investment

Rwanda's agreement with Formula 1 is part of its broader strategy to strengthen its international profile and attract investment through major sporting events.

The government expects the project to support tourism, create employment, develop technical skills and generate business opportunities for local communities and the wider region.

President Kagame described the agreement as a long-term investment in Rwanda's future, highlighting the potential for the circuit and associated airport infrastructure to generate economic benefits beyond the race weekend.

He also emphasised the importance of giving young Africans opportunities to participate in motorsport, including careers in engineering, technical services and professional driving.

Formula 1 says the partnership is intended to deliver lasting economic and social benefits while expanding the sport's reach among African audiences.

Africa's return after more than three decades

Formula 1 last raced on the African continent at the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, near Johannesburg. Rwanda's entry will end a more than three-decade absence from the championship calendar.

The return follows years of discussions about bringing the sport back to Africa, with Rwanda formally launching its bid in December 2024 during an FIA gathering in Kigali.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been among the prominent advocates for an African race, repeatedly urging Formula 1 to restore the continent to its calendar.

Domenicali said Rwanda's inclusion would enable Formula 1 to race on every inhabited continent, bringing the championship closer to fans worldwide.

The agreement represents a major milestone for Rwanda's ambitions to position itself as a destination for international sporting events, tourism and business.

With the circuit yet to be completed, the early 2030s remain the target period for the race's debut, rather than a confirmed inaugural season.