BE IT politics or economy- Rwanda will host the Formula One calendar.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by both the Rwanda Government and F1 executives in Kigali.
It will be known as the African Grand Prix- to be hosted from the early 2030s in a 10-year deal.
The last time the popular sport car race was held on the African continent was in 1993 at Kyalami Race track- SA.
Talk of SA, it was one of the bidders but it seemed Rwanda had put their best foot forward in gaining the rights.
Nigeria was also contesting to host.
Sir Lewis Hamilton, the seven-times world champion, had been advocating for the F1 to be held on the African soil, and his wishes have come true.
But at age (41) the question is will he be still racing when it finally debut in Kigali?
“Today (Tuesday) is a landmark moment for Formula One,” said F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali at a press conference with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and International Automobile Federation (FIA) head Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, will be held at a circuit that is yet to be built alongside a new international airport under construction at Bugesera some 40km (25 miles) south of the capital Kigali.
The track will be designed by Austrian former driver Alex Wurz, alongside long-time F1 architect Tilke, expected to be completed early in the next decade.
Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, said the track would have a 100,000 capacity and also be a multi-purpose facility with year-round utilisation as a concert and exhibition venue.
“We want to make it bigger than just Rwanda. We want to make it the moment when the sport came back to Africa and then never left,” he told a press conference, adding that the initiative would likely be “powered by the private sector and coordinated by the government”.
The likes of Emirates Airlines are reported to have shown interest backing the Grand Prix.
Under pressure minister of sport Gayton Mackenzie, congratulated Rwanda on the hosting rights.
But back home, the public is asking if the R1bn that was presented to the bid committee was worth it and if will be refunded, amongst others?
MacKanzi wrote on X: “We are happy for Rwanda’s 2030 F1”. “They have worked on it longer than SA and deserve it.”
“Some react like a continent of 55 countries can only get one,” he continued, also noting that “Italy had until recently hosted two races a year and suggesting South Africa could still be in the frame”.
Pres Kagame elaborated further that: “Today belongs to Africa.
“For more than three decades, the world’s premier motorsport championship has raced without this continent and that changes with this agreement.
“This 10-year partnership is also an investment in Rwanda’s future. The circuit… alongside the new international airport, will bring jobs, skills, tourism and new business to our country and our region for decades to come.”
The ‘Visit Rwanda’ tourism campaign has carried the country’s name into soccer through club sponsorships, basketball and cycling, with the 2025 UCI Road World Championships held there as well as the 2023 FIFA Congress and 2024 FIA Awards ceremony.
In 1994 Rwanda was faced with genocide but all that has been forgotten following the rebuilding and worthy investment opportunities in the country.
Be it politics or economy- we congratulate Rwanda on this important milestone, despite instability in the country.
Image provided (Rwanda Pres Paul Kagame recorded addressing delegates following news that Rwanda will host the much contested Grand Prix in early 2030s.)
