Formula 1 to return to Africa as 10-year deal for Rwanda race signed

Rwanda is set to host a Formula 1 grand prix from the early 2030s, bringing the sport back to Africa for the first time since 1993; a 10-year-deal has been struck for a brand-new circuit to host the African Grand Prix

Tuesday 13 October 2026 21:36, UK

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Sky Sports' Craig Slater reports that Formula 1 will return to Africa for the first time since 1993, with a grand prix in Rwanda

Formula 1 will return to Africa after it was confirmed Rwanda will host races from the early 2030s.

A 10-year agreement has been signed for the African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, to mark the sport's return to the continent for the first time since the 1993 South African Grand Prix.

The first race in the country is set to take place once the new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, 40 kilometres south of capital city Kigali, has been completed, which Formula 1 said is "expected to be early in the next decade".

Rwanda president Paul Kagame, who announced the agreement at a ceremony in Kigali on Tuesday morning, said: "Today belongs to Africa. For more than three decades, the world's premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent.

Image: Formula 1 provided a digital render of how the track in Rwanda is expected to look

"Rwanda is proud to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, and to share this moment with more than 100 million fans across Africa."

Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK's head of campaigns, criticised the agreement, saying: "Rwanda is buying into the world's biggest sports to polish its image and deflect from its appalling human rights record."

Rwanda formally announced their bid in December 2024, when the country hosted an FIA gathering.

Rwanda president Paul Kagame says it is an 'honour and privilege' following the news a Rwandan circuit is set to host a grand prix from the early 2030s

FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem hailed the agreement as "an historic moment for the sport".

"This is an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport," he said. "Rwanda has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering a world-class event.

"This is also about creating a lasting legacy, inspiring new generations, developing talent and opening new opportunities for motorsport across Africa and beyond."

With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, it will mean F1 will race in every inhabited continent.

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Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali added: "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."

Formula 1 added that "further details regarding the inaugural race date, circuit development milestones and race

weekend plans will be announced in due course".

'The most beautiful continent'

Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and George Russell spoke last weekend about the possibility of a race in Rwanda

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has been pushing hard over the last few years for the continent to return to the F1 schedule.

Ahead of last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix, he said: "It is, for me, the most important continent, to be honest, the most beautiful continent. We're on all the other continents but that one and there should be no reason for it."

Hamilton has repeatedly publicly encouraged Domenicali to prioritise adding a race in Africa, and the seven-time world champion is pleased with the Italian's efforts.

Image: Hamilton has repeatedly pushed for F1 to return to Africa

"It is something I've been pushing for in the background, and Stefano has been amazing," Hamilton added.

"He's flown to Africa so many times over the last couple of years, speaking to lots and lots of different people, so I hope that he has some news for me soon."

Formula 1 already has a packed 24-race schedule confirmed for 2027, but the hosting deals of several of the circuits on next year's calendar expire before 2030.

Portugal is returning as a host in 2027 but has just a two-year deal, while races in Mexico and Singapore are only currently agreed until 2028, and the Japanese Grand Prix is only confirmed until 2029.

South African Formula 1 presenter and content creator Nqobile Khwezi says it's an 'absolute delight' for Rwanda to be chosen to host a brand-new African Grand Prix from the early 2030s.

Rwanda's history in sport

'Visit Rwanda' are front-of-shirt sponsor for Aston Villa, having signed a multi-year deal worth £20m a season in the summer. The move was criticised by Amnesty International as "sportswashing" by the country to deflect from its human rights record.

DR Congo has accused Rwanda of arming rebel groups and committing human rights breaches and last year urged Arsenal, PSG and Bayern Munich to review their deals with the country in 2025.

Arsenal ended their eight-year deal with Rwanda at the end of last season after pressure from supporter groups. The club's LGBTQ+ group, the Gay Gooners, told Sky Sports News at the time that it had raised concerns with Arsenal over the partnership since 2021.

PSG extended their deal with Rwanda until 2028, while Bayern ended their commercial deal but extended a deal to focus on an academy in the country.

Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK's head of campaigns, said in a statement: "A 10-year Grand Prix 'presented by Visit Rwanda' is a sportswashing prize for the Rwandan authorities.

"Arsenal, Aston Villa, the cycling world championships and now Formula 1 - Rwanda is buying into the world's biggest sports to polish its image and deflect from its appalling human rights record.

"Formula 1 says sport can be 'a positive force for good'. That rings hollow if F1 shrugs off who it is partnering with. Rwanda's authorities are prolific in arbitrary detention, torture and the repression of free speech - these are abuses at home.

"Beyond its borders, we are seeing bloodshed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda is playing a significant role in fuelling the conflict and related human rights abuses - both through its support to the M23 armed group and the direct actions of Rwanda's military in eastern Congo.

"Formula 1 must not be a bystander. It should use its influence with the Rwandan authorities to push for change, rather than lend its brand to a PR exercise."

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