---
title: "F1 confirms return to Africa with 10-year Rwanda Grand Prix deal"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2026/10/13/f1-africa-rwanda-grand-prix-10-year-deal/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Gary Gowers"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2026-10-13T10:45:01Z"
modified: "2026-10-13T10:45:02Z"
---

# F1 confirms return to Africa with 10-year Rwanda Grand Prix deal

**[Formula 1](https://readmotorsport.com/) will return to Africa for the first time since 1993 after agreeing a 10-year deal to stage a Grand Prix in Rwanda.**

The African Grand Prix will join the calendar in the early 2030s at a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, around 40km south of the capital Kigali. F1 announced the agreement today following talks with Rwanda, which began several years ago. An exact year for the first race has not yet been confirmed.

## F1 returning to Africa after more than 30 years

Africa last hosted Formula 1 at the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, won by Alain Prost for Williams. Rwanda will become the third African country to stage a round of the Formula 1 world championship. Morocco hosted a Grand Prix in 1958, while South Africa held races at East London and Kyalami.

The Rwandan race will take place at a new circuit next to the Kigali International Airport development in Bugesera. The track will be built to FIA Grade 1 standards, which are required to host Formula 1. [F1 says](https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/everything-we-know-about-f1s-all-new-race-in-rwanda.3Mde3s9FqIOTbkzKs0Puwo) the layout will make use of the area’s natural elevation changes, although the final circuit length and number of corners have not yet been announced.

## Domenicali calls Rwanda deal a ‘landmark moment’

Formula 1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said the agreement fulfilled the championship’s long-standing ambition to return to Africa.

“Today is a landmark moment for Formula 1,” Domenicali said.

He added that F1 had wanted a long-term agreement before committing to its return to the continent, with the Rwanda deal running for 10 years. The new race also means Formula 1 will compete on every inhabited continent once Rwanda joins the calendar.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame first publicly confirmed the country’s bid to host a Grand Prix in 2024. The circuit will form part of the wider Bugesera development around the new international airport.

The agreement does not affect the remainder of the current season, with six rounds still to run in 2026. Our [guide to every F1 race left this year](https://readmotorsport.com/2026/10/12/f1-2026-schedule-races-left-dates-uk-times/) has the remaining dates, circuits and UK start times.

***For the latest Formula 1 news, race coverage and analysis, visit* [*Read Motorsport*](https://readmotorsport.com/)*.***