Formula One signs 10-year deal to stage African Grand Prix at Bugesera, Rwanda from 'early 2030s'

Formula One has agreed a 10-year contract to stage the African Grand Prix at a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, 25 miles south of Kigali, Rwanda, with the event due to begin "in the early 2030s" and marking the sport's return to Africa for the first time since 1993.

The race will be held at a purpose-built track in Bugesera, located next to Kigali’s new international airport, with F1 saying the project follows "years of collaboration to ensure the right foundations, with the best partner, are in place to deliver a successful, sustainable and world-class grand prix for generations to come." The new fixture will be known as the African Grand Prix and follows nearly four decades without a round on the continent since the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. F1 has said drivers will be consulted on the final layout of the circuit and that the year for the first race is yet to be rubber-stamped.

F1 and designers have emphasised the venue's use of local topography. The circuit has been described as being "designed to work in harmony with the natural landscape, using the area's elevation changes to create a unique and challenging racing experience while delivering exceptional viewing opportunities for fans," and the build will be overseen by three firms, with former F1 driver Alex Wurz credited as the circuit designer alongside track architect Tilke and DAR working with WurzDesign. F1 said the layout is intended to be fast and flowing with significant elevation change.

F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali said: "Today is a landmark moment for Formula One. With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, our sport will race in every inhabited continent, bringing the world championship closer than ever to fans around the globe. Africa has always been part of Formula One’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.

"For our fans, this is an especially exciting moment. Africa is home to more than 100 million Formula One fans, and that number continues to grow rapidly. We are bringing the excitement, energy and drama of Formula One closer to millions of people who have waited a long time to see our sport return to the continent, and we look forward to writing an exciting new chapter together."

Rwanda's president, Paul Kagame, welcomed the agreement and 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.

"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."

Speaking at the recent Singapore Grand Prix, Hamilton, 41, said: "I’ve always said that we need to have a Grand Prix in Africa. For me, it’s the most important continent and the most beautiful continent. We’re on all the other continents but that one, and there should be no reason for it. It’s something I’ve been pushing for in the background and Stefano’s been amazing." The announcement has also prompted warnings that the race could face opposition from human rights groups accusing Rwanda of sportswashing, a criticism previously raised over the country's sponsorship of Premier League clubs Arsenal and Aston Villa, and comes while the Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a case at the International Court of Justice accusing Rwanda of breaching multiple international treaties covering genocide prevention, racial discrimination, women's rights and torture. F1 said it has the opportunity to "inspire and bring the passion of F1 to 100 million people across Africa" and is committed to keeping the season at no more than 24 races; organisers have noted the main rain season in March to May is likely to be avoided with a shorter season from October to November.

A year for the first African Grand Prix has not yet been confirmed and remains to be finalised despite the early-2030s start window; F1 has said the deal is a long-term commitment intended to deliver a sustainable event and further details, including the calendar slot for the new race, will be determined in due course.