According to Motorsport.com Italia, Formula 1 has officially secured a ten-year agreement to return to the African continent, filling a major geographical gap that has lasted since the final South African Grand Prix at Kyalami in 1993. The ambitious project will bring the World Championship to a brand-new permanent circuit built in Bugesera, situated roughly 40 kilometres south of Kigali.
While the exact date for the inaugural Grand Prix is still waiting on the completion of the facility, the partnership promises a long-term future for the sport in the region. The track itself will be constructed to meet strict FIA Grade 1 standards, utilizing the natural elevation changes of the local landscape to create a challenging layout designed to promote overtaking and clear spectator visibility.
Our goal was never just to host a single weekend of racing, but to create lasting benefits for our population,
Coordinated through the Rwanda Development Board, the new circuit will be positioned right next to the new international airport in Kigali to ease global logistics. More than just a racing venue, the infrastructure is planned as a year-round hub for other motorsport competitions, entertainment, and international events to ensure lasting economic viability outside of a single race weekend.
Stefano Domenicali called the agreement a historic milestone for the sport, noting that the series will finally race across every inhabited continent. The Formula 1 CEO emphasized that the collaboration is designed to deliver sustained social and economic advantages, backed by stark demographic data showing over 100 million fans across the continent, with nearly 60 percent under the age of 35 in key sub-Saharan markets.
Rwanda's president, Paul Kagame, echoed that sentiment, stating that the initiative goes far beyond hosting a fleeting weekend event. “Our goal was never just to host a single weekend of racing, but to create lasting benefits for our population,” Kagame said, pointing to the potential for local youth to envision futures as engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs, and drivers.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem also welcomed the announcement, confirming that the governing body will work closely with FOM and local partners to ensure the Bugesera facility meets the highest international standards. While precise timelines and calendar dates remain to be finalized, the grand return of Formula 1 to Africa is finally locked in.
