MotorsportFormula 1 is coming back to Africa
Rwanda has signed a 10-year agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda.
On 13 October 2026, Formula 1 announced a 10-year agreement for a new race in Rwanda: the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda. It will be the first African Grand Prix since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.
The project
The race will be held at a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, in Rwanda's Eastern Province, about 40 km south of Kigali. The layout is being designed by WurzDesign and Tilke Engineers and Architects. The agreement starts in the early 2030s; the date of the first race has not yet been announced.
A country as the sponsor
The race carries the name of Visit Rwanda, the country's tourism brand. Governments and tourism boards are becoming major sponsorship buyers, using sport to put their destination in front of a global audience.
What it means
A new premium global property is being built in Africa, years before its first race. That long lead time gives brands and local partners the chance to plan early, around the event and the infrastructure that comes with it.
Source: Formula1.com, 13 October 2026. Figures as reported by the source.
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