Rwanda is moving ahead in the bid for Formula 1’s return to Africa. Africa has not hosted an F1 race since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami.
Rwanda plans to build a permanent facility 40 kilometers outside the capital Kigali. According to The Independent, talks between Rwanda and F1 stakeholders are ongoing, with an announcement expected soon; however, the race is not anticipated to take place before 2030.
Rwanda also hosted the 2024 FIA awards ceremony, where President Paul Kagame announced his grand prix intention.
Lewis Hamilton expressed his support for holding a race in Africa, saying he had visited 10 African countries and had been working behind the scenes on this for 6-7 years. F1 boss Stefano Domenicali also emphasized the goal of returning to Africa despite the 24-race calendar in 2027.
Countries interested in hosting an F1 race:
- Rwanda
- South Africa (Kyalami and Cape Town)
- Morocco
- Nigeria
Other places seeking to join the calendar:
- South Korea
- India
- Thailand
- Argentina
- Malaysia
Why it matters
This development shows that access to motorsports in Africa, which has not been on the calendar since 1993, is back on the agenda. Rwanda’s bid is the latest example of countries outside traditional racing hubs seeking international visibility through major sporting events. However, it remains unclear which race the new round would replace or under what conditions it would be added to a calendar set to reach 24 races in 2027; South Korea, India, Thailand, Argentina, and Malaysia are also pushing at the same door. Hamilton’s years of behind-the-scenes work demonstrates that drivers now have a say in calendar decisions not only on the track but also at the table. The open question is whether the talks will turn into a contract and how the permanent facility will be financed in a project that does not envisage a race before 2030.