When will the first Formula 1 race take place in Rwanda?

The first race date has not yet been announced and will depend on the completion of the new circuit.

Rwanda to Host Formula 1 Race Starting in Early 2030s

A 10-year agreement will bring the Formula 1 championship back to Africa for the first time in decades, with a new circuit planned in Bugesera.

2026-10-14 · Updated 2026-10-14

Rwanda has secured a 10-year deal to host a Formula 1 race, beginning in the early 2030s. This agreement marks the return of the championship to Africa for the first time since 1993.

The event, dubbed the African Grand Prix, will be held at a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, located southeast of Kigali. The track is being designed to meet FIA Grade 1 standards and is anticipated to be completed in the early 2030s.

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame stated that the initiative aims to boost tourism, investment, job creation, and skills development. The broader Bugesera project encompasses sports, tourism, infrastructure, and commercial development surrounding the race circuit.

This deal positions Rwanda as the first new Formula 1 host country since Saudi Arabia and Qatar joined the calendar in 2021. The agreement also ensures Formula 1 will have a race on every inhabited continent.

Rwanda has been actively pursuing a Grand Prix since 2024, collaborating with Formula 1 and the FIA. The country has a strategy of leveraging global sports events for tourism and investment, with existing partnerships including European football clubs and hosting the Basketball Africa League.

FAQ

When will the first Formula 1 race take place in Rwanda?: The first race date has not yet been announced and will depend on the completion of the new circuit.
What is the purpose of the Bugesera project?: The wider Bugesera project includes sports, tourism, infrastructure, and commercial development around the planned Formula 1 circuit.