Rwanda Set to Host Formula One Grand Prix, Qatar Backs Bid
Rwanda has reached an agreement to host a Formula One (F1) Grand Prix, potentially bringing the world’s premier motorsport championship back to Africa after more than three decades.
Sources within the Rwandan government and close to the sport’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Thursday that Rwanda’s bid had been approved. An official announcement is expected in Kigali next week, with Qatar reportedly supporting the project.
The proposed race would mark Formula One’s return to Africa for the first time since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame formally announced the country’s bid in December 2024.
However, hosting the event will require substantial investment in infrastructure. Rwanda does not currently have a circuit capable of hosting a Formula One race, and plans for a new track near Kigali have been reported. The race is not expected before 2030.
Rwanda has increasingly used international sporting events to attract tourism, investment and global attention, including hosting the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
Qatar’s reported backing could help advance the ambitious project, although the nature and scale of its support have not been disclosed.
The development also comes as South Africa pursues its own efforts to bring Formula One back to the continent, setting the stage for renewed competition to secure a place on the sport’s calendar.
Beyond the excitement of a historic return, questions remain over the cost of the project, the infrastructure required and the economic benefits it could deliver to Rwanda and the wider region.
