Rwanda Secures 10-Year Deal to Bring Formula 1 Back to Africa in the Early 2030s

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali has described the new agreement to bring the sport back to Africa after an absence of nearly 40 years as a “landmark” achievement.

Lewis Hamilton has for some time advocated for the return of a Grand Prix to Africa, stressing the importance of hosting a race on the continent.

However, Formula 1 officials had already acknowledged the significance of the initiative. The agreement also concludes nearly a decade of efforts by F1 owners Liberty Media, who have pursued plans to stage a race in Africa since acquiring the sport in early 2017.

Rwanda, which has secured a 10-year agreement to host an African Grand Prix from the “early 2030s”, has succeeded where other countries, including Morocco and South Africa, have struggled.

The East-Central African nation has managed to develop a unified proposal supported by the necessary funding and ambition to bring the project to reality.

Morocco failed to secure the required finances, while South Africa has as many as four separate proposals being pursued by different promoters across three locations, including two in Cape Town.

With several other countries also competing for places on an already crowded F1 calendar, the situation proved too complicated for the sport’s leadership to manage.

The new circuit in Bugesera, approximately 25 miles south of Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, is part of a larger development project near a new international airport that is currently under construction. The wider development will include entertainment facilities, residential areas, hotels, spas, sports science facilities and an innovation hub.

Although the site is currently undeveloped, people familiar with the project believe there should be no major obstacles to completing it by 2030.

The planned race is, however, expected to attract controversy because Rwanda has previously faced accusations of sportswashing.

For Domenicali, the agreement represents an important milestone in the sport’s growth under his leadership.

Speaking at the announcement ceremony in Kigali alongside Rwandan President Paul Kagame and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Domenicali described the occasion as a special moment and a legacy for everyone involved.

He said he was “very proud”, adding that Formula 1 was demonstrating to the world what it means for a country to have a clear vision.

“Rwanda is one of the world’s great success stories,” he said, describing it as a nation blessed with extraordinary natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes, as well as the resilience and courage to overcome the challenges of its past and rebuild.

He further praised Rwanda for its ambition, creativity and determination, noting that it had developed into a destination for international investment, innovation and opportunity.

From a sporting perspective, the reasons for Domenicali’s enthusiasm are clear.

The deal will bring Formula 1 back to Africa, where the last Grand Prix was held in South Africa in 1993, while potentially opening up a largely untapped market of around 100 million people.

The proposed circuit, designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz, also promises an exciting racing experience.

Wurz is passionate about designing circuits with natural flow that test drivers’ abilities. For Rwanda, he has envisioned a track inspired by legendary circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps, Suzuka and Mugello, while maintaining a distinctive identity of its own. The released design images show noticeable similarities to the opening section of Suzuka.

Although the circuit’s final design is yet to be confirmed, further consultations with teams and drivers are expected. The proposed track will measure approximately 6 kilometres (3.7 miles), feature 17 corners and take advantage of Rwanda’s rolling terrain to create a dramatic layout. It is also expected to include nearly 200 metres of elevation change.

President Kagame has supported the project as an opportunity to showcase Rwanda internationally. He said it would create “jobs, skills, tourism and new business” across Africa.

Kagame also expressed hope that the initiative would encourage other countries on the continent to host major races. He argued that projects of this nature could help break the cycle in which African athletes achieve international success while the continent receives limited economic benefits in return.

“We are not just looking at Rwanda alone,” he said. “We are looking at Rwanda in the context of a continent and we have ambitions to bring in our African brothers and sisters to participate. We have had many other big events.”

Why is Rwanda a controversial choice?

Rwanda has sought to counter concerns that the project could divert money from more pressing national priorities, particularly because the country receives international aid. Authorities have emphasised that the project will be financed through a newly established development fund combining public and private investment.

In the previous month, Rwanda launched a five-year plan aimed at attracting £3.5 billion in private investment to accelerate its economic transformation and expansion.

The Grand Prix forms part of a broader national strategy to grow tourism, attract international investors, expand the services sector and strengthen the entertainment industry. The government expects these efforts to create additional opportunities and contribute to the country’s overall economic growth.

However, Rwanda is not the first country to use Formula 1 as a means of improving its international profile.

The use of major sporting events to enhance a country’s image can also attract criticism. This practice, commonly referred to as sportswashing, involves using high-profile sporting activities to divert attention from aspects of a country’s conduct that are viewed negatively by sections of the international community.

Several countries on the existing F1 calendar have faced similar accusations, including Saudi Arabia.

Rwanda is also facing a case brought by neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo before the International Court of Justice. The DRC accuses Rwanda of violating several international treaties concerning the prevention of genocide, racial discrimination, women’s rights and torture.

Formula 1 is not the only sport facing such criticism. Premier League football clubs Arsenal and Aston Villa have been accused of contributing to sportswashing through sponsorship agreements with Rwanda.

Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, while Saudi investment has become increasingly influential in boxing. Golf also experienced significant divisions following the entry of Saudi-backed LIV Golf and the competition it created with established golf organisations.

Formula 1 maintains that it recognises these concerns. Its own charter commits the organisation to respecting internationally recognised human rights in its global operations. It also highlights the need to understand and monitor potential human rights impacts and work with relevant stakeholders to address emerging concerns.

The charter further states that the organisation concentrates its efforts on areas where it has direct influence.

In a statement issued in connection with Rwanda’s announcement, Formula 1 said the agreement presented an opportunity to introduce the sport to approximately 100 million people across Africa, adding that sport could be “a positive force for good”.

However, Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK’s head of campaigns, criticised the decision.

“Rwanda is buying into the world’s biggest sports to polish its image and deflect from its appalling human rights record,” he said.

Jakens argued that Formula 1’s claim that sport could be a positive force for good would have little meaning if the organisation ignored the conduct of its partners.

He added that Formula 1 should not remain passive on the issue but should use its influence with Rwandan authorities to encourage improvements rather than allow its brand to be used for public relations purposes.