Formula 1 will return to Africa in Rwanda, not Tangier

Formula 1 is set to return to Africa after its absence from the continent since 1993, but the destination will not be Tangier: Rwanda has secured an official agreement to host a new race during the next decade. The last African event was held in 1993 at Kyalami, in South Africa.

The project calls for a new circuit in the Bugesera region, about 40 kilometres south of Kigali and close to the capital’s new international airport. Construction is planned, while the inaugural race date, final circuit details and race-weekend schedule are still to be announced.

The move fits Formula 1’s ambition to extend its global presence and reach new audiences. The championship says it has more than 100 million fans in Africa. In the main markets of sub-Saharan Africa, around 60% of Formula 1 fans are under 35.

Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1’s president and chief executive, described a return to Africa as a long-term objective. He stressed that the agreement was about more than staging a single race, with the aim of generating lasting economic and social benefits through tourism, investment and skills development.

Rwanda also hopes the event will strengthen its profile as an international destination for sports and tourism, attract investment, create jobs and build local skills. Paul Kagame, Rwanda’s president, called the agreement an investment in his country’s future. He said the circuit and the new airport could support jobs, tourism and business over the long term.

A circuit project near Tangier had previously attracted interest as part of an integrated tourism and leisure development. However, Morocco has not received an official announcement granting it a championship race. Rwanda is therefore the African destination with an agreement with Formula 1, marking the championship’s return to a continent it has been seeking to re-enter after more than three decades away.