Formula 1 announced on Tuesday, 13 October, a ten-year agreement with Rwanda to host a Grand Prix in the early 2030s. The first race must wait until a new circuit at Bugesera is completed, as part of a project combining sports infrastructure, tourism and commercial activities.
Led by the Rwanda Development Board, the development will be located about 40 kilometres south of Kigali, near the new international airport. The circuit must meet Grade 1 standards of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, which are required to host the competition.
The promoters plan to use the site throughout the year, beyond the race weekend alone. Other motor competitions, conferences and entertainment events are among the announced uses.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame presents the partnership as a lever for tourism, employment, training and local businesses, in remarks broadcast by F1 and reported by the Rwandan daily The New Times. These benefits remain the project's objectives, with construction preceding the hosting of the championship.
The exact date of the first Grand Prix and the stages of the construction work will be announced later, F1 said. The championship has not held a race in Africa since the South African Grand Prix in 1993.