Rwanda’s F1 race: location, circuit plans and what remains unknown
Formula 1 is set to return to Africa under a 10-year agreement for a race in Rwanda in the early 2030s. The proposed African Grand Prix would end a gap stretching back to 1993, when Kyalami hosted the South African Grand Prix. The deal was reached after years of collaboration and discussions with potential partners; here is what is known about the plans so far.
F1’s announcement of the agreement is covered in our report on the 10-year Rwanda deal.
Bugesera is the planned home of the Grand Prix
The race is planned for Bugesera, in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, around 40 kilometres south of Kigali and beside the new Kigali International Airport. A purpose-built venue is planned, with the circuit to be developed to FIA Grade 1 standards.
The initial design concept makes use of the area’s elevation changes. The final layout is still being developed through a collaboration between WurzDesign, led by former F1 driver Alex Wurz, and Tilke Engineers and Architects. The project forms part of a wider development led by the Rwanda Development Board, encompassing sport, tourism, infrastructure and commercial activity.
The venue is intended to operate beyond race weekends, hosting international motorsport, major events and conferences throughout the year. Further detail on the circuit plans is available in our coverage of the proposed Kigali-area venue.
The calendar date and race-weekend plans are not confirmed
F1 has not yet announced a race date, construction milestones or plans for the event weekend. The agreement sets the race in the early 2030s, but those practical details are still to come.
Rwanda has previously hosted major international events, including the FIA Awards Ceremony in 2024. The country has also staged the UCI Road World Championships, the ICC Women’s Challenge Trophy, the 2023 FIFA Congress and the Basketball African League.
The prospect of racing in Africa has drawn support from drivers. Lewis Hamilton has advocated for an African Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen said he hoped the plans could proceed. George Russell, reflecting on a visit to Africa earlier in the year, also backed the continent’s inclusion on F1’s global calendar.
The potential audience is significant: more than 100 million fans follow F1 across Africa, and almost 60% of fans in key Sub-Saharan African markets are under 35. Rwanda’s 2022 census recorded a population of 14.6 million, with women making up 51.5%.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.