Africa, Start Your Engines: Rwanda Lands a 10-Year F1 Deal

Formula 1 is officially heading back to Africa. On 13 October 2026, F1 confirmed a 10-year agreement for the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, with the first race expected in the early 2030s. It would be the sport’s first race on the continent since the 1993 South African Grand Prix.

Where will the race happen?

A purpose-built circuit is planned for Bugesera, about 40 kilometres south of Kigali and beside the new Kigali International Airport. The track is planned to meet FIA Grade 1 standards. The Rwanda Development Board is leading a wider project tied to sports, tourism, infrastructure and commercial development.

President Paul Kagame welcomed the deal as a milestone for Africa and Rwanda. The plan is intended to create longer-term opportunities in tourism, jobs, skills and local business—not just a single race weekend. Watch President Kagame’s remarks on YouTube.

What happens next?

The 10-year agreement is confirmed, but the exact first-race date, circuit construction milestones and race-weekend details have not yet been announced. For now, “early 2030s” is the confirmed timeframe; any specific season or ticket date would be premature.

Official updates: Formula 1 announcement, FIA announcement.