According to reports from motorsport media and sources close to the Rwandan government and the sport’s governing body, the country has received the green light to host a race, with an official announcement expected in Kigali.
However, Formula 1 and the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) have not formally confirmed the agreement, meaning the proposed race and its target year remain subject to official confirmation.
If completed, the project would mark a significant milestone for African motorsport and Rwanda’s efforts to establish itself as a destination for major international sporting events.
New Formula 1 circuit planned near Kigali
The proposed venue is intended to meet Formula 1’s demanding requirements for circuit design, safety, infrastructure and event operations.
Design work has reportedly involved WurzDesign, the company founded by former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz.
Rwanda does not currently have a circuit capable of hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix, making the construction and certification of the proposed venue essential to the project.
The 2030 target would give organisers several years to develop the facility and complete the necessary preparations, provided the reported agreement is formally confirmed.
Kagame’s ambition to bring F1 to Rwanda
Rwanda publicly announced its ambition to host Formula 1 in December 2024, when President Paul Kagame addressed delegates at the FIA General Assembly and prize-giving ceremony in Kigali.
Kagame said the country was bidding to bring racing back to Africa and highlighted the progress made in discussions with Formula 1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali.
The Rwandan government has since continued pursuing the opportunity, seeking to use international sport to attract investment, boost tourism and raise the country’s global profile.
Kigali’s hosting of the FIA gathering in 2024 also gave Rwanda an opportunity to demonstrate its capacity to organise major international sporting events.
Formula 1 has been absent from Africa since 1993
The last Formula 1 race held on African soil was the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, where French driver Alain Prost won for Williams.
Since then, several proposals have sought to restore the continent to the championship calendar, but none has resulted in a new race.
South Africa has pursued a return through both the historic Kyalami circuit and proposals involving Cape Town. Morocco and Nigeria have also been mentioned in discussions about potential African Grand Prix venues.
Rwanda’s reported progress could therefore give the East African country an advantage in the race to bring the championship back to the continent.
The reported deal does not necessarily rule out another African Grand Prix in the future, although securing a place on the increasingly crowded Formula 1 calendar remains a major challenge for prospective hosts.
Lewis Hamilton has called for an African Grand Prix
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has repeatedly expressed support for Formula 1 returning to Africa.
The British driver has spoken about the importance of racing on the continent and has urged the sport to address its absence from the championship calendar.
An African Grand Prix would expand Formula 1’s geographical reach and provide a new opportunity for fans across the continent to experience the championship in person.
For Rwanda, hosting the race could also create opportunities in tourism, hospitality, transport and other sectors connected to major sporting events.
The scale of those benefits would depend on the investment required, the event’s long-term commercial viability and how effectively the project serves local communities.
Official confirmation remains the next milestone
Although reports indicate that Rwanda’s bid has received approval in principle, the project still needs to move from a reported agreement to a formally announced and deliverable event.
Confirmation from Formula 1 and the FIA would clarify the proposed contract, timetable and requirements for the new circuit.
Construction, circuit certification and preparations for hosting teams, spectators and international broadcasters would then become central to meeting the 2030 target.
For now, Rwanda appears to have made substantial progress towards its ambition of hosting Formula 1. If the reported agreement is confirmed and the project reaches completion, the country could play a historic role in ending the championship’s long absence from Africa.