By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The FIA and Formula 1 has confirmed Rwanda will host a race from “the early 2030s” when the series returns to Africa after almost 40 years.
The first race in the country is set to take place once the new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, 40 kilometres south of capital city Kigali, which has been completed.
Rwanda president Paul Kagame, who announced the 10 year agreement at a ceremony in Kigali on Tuesday morning, said: “Today belongs to Africa.
For more than three decades, the world’s premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent.
“Rwanda is proud to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, and to share this moment with more than 100 million fans across Africa, Kagame said.”
The last F1 race on the continent took place in South Africa in 1993 on the Kyalami circuit in Johannesburg.
FIA president Mohamed Ben Sulayem hailed the agreement as “an historic moment for the sport”.
“This is an important step in the continued global growth of motorsport,” he said. “Rwanda has demonstrated a strong commitment to delivering a world-class event.
“This is also about creating a lasting legacy, inspiring new generations, developing talent and opening new opportunities for motorsport across Africa and beyond.”
With Rwanda joining the calendar from the next decade, it will mean F1 will race in every inhabited continent.
Formula 1 already has a packed 24-race schedule confirmed for 2027, but the hosting deals of several of the circuits on next year’s calendar expire before 2030.
Portugal is returning as a host in 2027 but has just a two-year deal, while races in Mexico and Singapore are only currently agreed until 2028, and the Japanese Grand Prix is only confirmed until 2029.