Rwanda has formally submitted a bid to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix, as announced by President Paul Kagame during the opening of the FIA General Assembly.
The event, marking the 120th anniversary of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), underscored Rwanda’s ambitions to bring top-tier motorsport back to Africa.
“I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa, by hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix,” said President Kagame.
“We are approaching this opportunity with the seriousness and commitment it deserves. Together, we will build something we can all be proud of,” he added.
In addition to the Formula 1 bid, Kagame revealed Rwanda’s ongoing collaboration with the FIA to develop motorsport infrastructure and talent.
He highlighted a local milestone: the construction of a Cross Car racing vehicle by students from IPRC Kigali, inspired by an FIA initiative.
Kagame also announced plans to establish a factory for Cross Car racing vehicles, aimed at furthering grassroots motorsport development.
Rwanda’s announcement is part of broader efforts to revive Formula 1 racing on the African continent, which last hosted a Grand Prix in 1993 in Kyalami, South Africa.
Africa remains the only continent without a Grand Prix on the current F1 calendar, despite growing interest in motorsport across the region.
The Kyalami Circuit has been considered for a return in recent years, but negotiations have yet to materialize into a confirmed race.
If successful, Rwanda’s bid would make it only the second African nation to host an F1 race and could signal a renewed focus on Africa as a key market for the sport.
President Kagame’s announcements highlight Rwanda’s strategic efforts to position itself as a hub for global and regional sport.
By investing in facilities, talent, and partnerships, Rwanda aims to elevate motorsport on the continent while creating opportunities for youth development and technological innovation.
The bid comes at a time of increasing global interest in F1, with the sport expanding into new markets in the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.
Africa’s F1 history is largely centered on South Africa’s Kyalami Circuit, which hosted 23 Grand Prix events between 1967 and 1993.
The races attracted global attention, featuring legends like Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. However, political and economic challenges, including the apartheid regime, interrupted the event’s continuity.
Recent efforts to bring F1 back to Africa have included talks with Kyalami organizers and interest from Morocco.
