Rwanda, FIA announce plans to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Kigali from 2026

Rwanda has officially launched its bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix from the 2026 season onwards, marking a significant step in expanding top-level racing to Africa.

The landmark announcement was made by Rwandan President Paul Kagame during the recent FIA General Assembly in the East African country’s capital.

It comes amidst growing calls for F1 to return to the continent after a 30-year absence following the last South African GP at Kyalami in 1993.

Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo reports on the breaking news.

Plans for Kigali GP under way

The proposed race would take place on a newly constructed circuit near the Bugesera International Airport, approximately 40 kilometres from Kigali.

Designed to integrate the landlocked country's hilly landscape, the course will reportedly offer a fast and flowing layout that utilises natural terrain and surrounding forest areas.

Ex-F1 driver and current Grand Prix Drivers' Association chairman Alexander Wurz is set to lead the new track's design and has been working alongside the Rwandan government for over a year to develop a layout that meets F1 standards.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has praised the serious nature of the bid and further added that the new circuit would be a permanent facility.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, echoed those sentiments after meeting with Rwandan Sports Minister Richard Nyirishema to discuss the nation's motorsport ambitions.

In particular, Ben Sulayem emphasised Rwanda's alignment with the governing body’s key values of innovation, sustainability, and road safety.

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Growing calls for an African GP

There has been a renewed push for F1 racing to return to Africa in recent times, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton especially supportive of the idea.

Having long advocated for a modern F1 race in Africa, Hamilton said: “We can't be adding races elsewhere and continue to ignore Africa. A Grand Prix there would highlight the beauty of the continent, attract tourism, and provide a much-needed boost to local economies."

Efforts to reintroduce an African race had previously centred on South Africa's Kyalami circuit.

Yet, although the venue appeared close to returning to the calendar in 2023, negotiations ultimately fell through in late 2022 for a number of reasons.

Focus now shifts to East Africa where Rwanda, on the back of hosting the FIA General Assembly, has signalled its readiness to meet the stringent logistical and infrastructural demands required for an F1 event.

F1 seeking a global footprint

The announcement of a possible Rwandan GP also aligns with F1's broader strategy of expanding its global influence.

In recent years, the F1 calendar has added new venues in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, with Miami and Las Vegas joining the circuit to much fanfare.

Rwanda's bid serves to position Africa as a key target in the sport's continued growth, one that offers both commercial opportunities and a chance to connect with an untapped audience.

If successful, the Rwandan GP would no doubt deliver economic benefits through increased tourism and the showcasing of Rwanda's rapid development on a global stage.

While the project remains in its early stages, enthusiasm on the part of the F1 leadership underscores the serious potential of the bid.

And with a combination of strategic planning, infrastructure development, and international collaboration, Rwanda is well-placed to finally bring F1 racing back to the African continent.

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