Formula 1 agrees 10-year deal for Rwanda grand prix, first in Africa since 1993

Formula 1 and Rwanda have agreed a 10-year deal for Rwanda to host races, starting in the "early 2030s". BBC Sport, The Guardian and AP all report the agreement.

It will be the first Formula 1 race in Africa since 1993. The last one was the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.

The event will be called the African Grand Prix. It will be held on a new, purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, 25 miles south of the capital, Kigali. According to F1, the track is "designed to work in harmony with the natural landscape, using the area's elevation changes," as quoted by BBC Sport from an F1 statement.

The timing of the first race is not final. BBC Sport reports that its place in the season calendar has not been established. The Guardian reports that the year of the first race has not been formally approved.

Circuit and calendar

According to BBC Sport, the circuit is next to Kigali's new international airport. Former F1 driver Alex Wurz designed it, and Tilke, DAR and WurzDesign will oversee construction. BBC Sport describes the layout as fast and flowing, with significant elevation change. The Guardian reports it is understood that drivers will be consulted on the final design.

BBC Sport reports that F1 is committed to no more than 24 races per season. In its assessment, F1 is likely to avoid Rwanda's main rain season of March to May. It notes a shorter rain season from October to November.

Background

According to BBC Sport, South Africa hosted grands prix in East London from 1960 to 1966 and at Kyalami from 1976 to 1985 and in 1992 and 1993. East London is now known as KuGompo City. South Africa has held talks with F1 about a return in recent years, but no deal has been reached.

BBC Sport expects human rights groups to oppose the race and accuse Rwanda of sportswashing. It notes that the same accusation followed Rwanda's sponsorship of Arsenal and Aston Villa. BBC Sport also reports that the Democratic Republic of Congo has filed a case against Rwanda at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

What is disputed

BBC Sport calls Stefano Domenicali F1's president. The Guardian calls him F1's CEO. The outlets also quote his remark about continents slightly differently.

What each side says

The Guardian quoted Domenicali as saying: "Today is a landmark moment for Formula One." He added that Africa "is home to more than 100 million Formula One fans."

Rwanda's President Paul Kagame said the circuit "will bring jobs, skills, tourism and new business to our country and our region for decades to come," according to BBC Sport.

According to The Guardian, Lewis Hamilton was asked about the race at the recent Singapore Grand Prix. He said: "I've always said that we need to have a Grand Prix in Africa."

In its ICJ case, according to BBC Sport, the DRC accuses Rwanda of breaching treaties on genocide prevention, racial discrimination, women's rights and torture.

The reports do not include the deal's financial terms, a construction timeline, statements from human rights groups, or a Rwandan response to the criticism.

Analysis

The agreement fills a long gap in F1's global map, and both F1 and Rwanda's government frame it as a long-term investment. Several questions remain open. The first race's year and calendar slot are not fixed, and F1's reported 24-race limit could mean another event must make way. Financial terms are not described in the reports reviewed by Vocemundi. Scrutiny of Rwanda's record, which BBC Sport anticipates, may shape public debate. The DRC's ICJ case could do the same. How these factors develop before the early 2030s could influence how the race is received.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.