Rwanda wants to open doors to all of Africa with F1 return

Rwanda president Paul Kagame says the confirmation of the African Grand Prix coming to his country in the 2030s is a development that belongs to the entire continent.

Formula 1 and the FIA were present in Kigali on Tuesday to announce the latest addition to the F1 calendar, with a new circuit to be built at Bugesera, roughly 25 miles south of the Rwandan capital city. Kagame says the return of F1 to Africa for the first time since the 1993 South African Grand Prix is a landmark moment that he hopes will have an impact across multiple countries.

“Today belongs to Africa,” Kagame said. “For more than three decades, the world's premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent, and that changes with this agreement.

“Rwanda is proud to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, and to share this moment with more than 100 million fans across Africa, many of them young people who deserve to see the sport at home and to see themselves in it: as engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs and, one day, drivers.

“This ten-year partnership is also an investment in Rwanda's future. The circuit in Bugesera, alongside the new international airport, will bring jobs, skills, tourism and new business to our country and our region for decades to come, because our aim was never a single race weekend, but a lasting benefit for our people.

“I thank Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 and Mohammed Ben Sulayem for the work that has brought us to this day. We look forward to welcoming the world to Rwanda for the African Grand Prix.”

Ben Sulayem has also been a vocal supporter of F1’s intention to add an African race to its schedule, and says the hard work now begins to ensure the final venue is a success.

“The return of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship to Africa is a historic moment for our sport and an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport,” Ben Sulayem said. “Rwanda has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering a world-class event, and the FIA will work closely with FOM and our partners as this new circuit is developed to the highest international standards.

“This agreement is also about creating a lasting legacy, inspiring new generations, developing talent and opening new opportunities for motorsport across Africa and beyond. Increasing accessibility is at the heart of the FIA’s mission, and we have a responsibility to ensure that our sport continues to grow at every level, reaching new communities and creating opportunities for people in every corner of the world.

“I congratulate President Paul Kagame on this landmark moment for his nation and share my thanks with Stefano Domenicali and all those whose collaboration has made this exciting new chapter possible.”