Formula 1: Ten-year agreement with Rwanda, first Grand Prix in Africa since 1993

Formula 1 is returning to the African continent. On Tuesday, October 13, 2026, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem announced a ten-year agreement creating the "Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda," according to the official Formula 1 website. This will be the first world championship race held in Africa since the South African Grand Prix run at Kyalami, near Johannesburg, in 1993.

A new circuit in Bugesera, next to the future airport

The event will be held in Bugesera, in the Eastern Province, about forty kilometers south of Kigali, next to the new international airport currently under construction. The track, still in the design phase, has been entrusted to former Austrian driver Alex Wurz and the firm Tilke Engineers & Architects, to FIA Grade 1 standards. It is expected to follow the hilly terrain, with nearly 200 meters of cumulative elevation change according to PlanetF1, and accommodate 100,000 spectators according to ABC News. The first race is announced for the early 2030s, as early as 2030 according to ABC News, once the circuit is completed.

On stage, Paul Kagame summarized the stakes in four words: "Today belongs to Africa." Jean-Guy Afrika, Director General of the Rwanda Development Board, stated that they want an event that is "bigger than just Rwanda."

Amnesty International denounces a PR exercise

The project is being contested. Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK's head of campaigns, told the BBC that Kigali is buying into major global sports to polish its image and divert attention from its human rights record, reports Grandprix.com. The organization does not dispute the return of F1 to Africa, but rather the Rwandan government's use of international sport. The Democratic Republic of Congo has referred the matter to the International Court of Justice, citing treaty violations, including the prevention of genocide and torture. Kigali rejects accusations of supporting the M23 armed group, which is active in eastern Congo.

Formula 1 responds that its charter commits it to respecting internationally recognized human rights and promises benefits in tourism, investment, and jobs. When asked about these criticisms on October 14, Paul Kagame invited his detractors to "take a deep breath" and wait to see what happens, reports PlanetF1.

Financing, the construction schedule, and the official date of the race remain to be confirmed, notes Grandprix.com. For Africa, the stakes go beyond a weekend of motorsport: it is a question of whether the continent will once again become a player on the global calendar, and under what conditions.