Formula 1 (F1) is set to return to Africa after more than 30 years! F1 announced on Oct. 13 local time that it has reached a 10-year partnership agreement with Rwanda, with plans to host an "African Grand Prix" there in 2030. The new circuit will be located in Bugesera, Rwanda, and will utilise the local hills, lakes, and natural terrain to create a roughly 6-kilometre "roller coaster-style" track featuring 17 corners, with a single-lap elevation change of 197 metres, aiming to deliver a fresh challenge combining speed and technical skill. However, the circuit is yet to be built, and the exact date of the first race has not been announced.
Lakes and Hills Transformed into a Circuit – 197m Elevation Change Per Lap
According to F1, the Rwandan circuit will be built in Bugesera, about 40 kilometres south of the capital Kigali, adjacent to the new Kigali International Airport currently under construction. The project involves former F1 driver Alex Wurz and the Tilke circuit design team, and the track will be built to FIA Grade 1 standards to meet F1 Grand Prix requirements.
Rwanda is located in the East African Rift region, with rolling hills that have earned it the nickname "Land of a Thousand Hills." The design team aims to make full use of the natural terrain, with the circuit extending up and down hills and high-speed corner combinations near lakes, allowing drivers to compete across undulating ground. Under the current plan, the circuit will be about 6 kilometres long, run anti-clockwise, feature 17 corners, and have a single-lap elevation change of 197 metres. Some sections will include banked corners and high-camber designs to make the track even more challenging.
Wurz said the team had considered different options, including a street circuit, but after visiting Bugesera, they concluded that the natural terrain formed by the local hills and lakes was best suited for a circuit. He described the terrain as if it had already provided ideal conditions for circuit design, with the goal of creating a track that blends Africa's natural landscape, driving difficulty, and racing spectacle.
The circuit design does not only pursue visual impact but also considers race quality. The Tilke team said that overtaking spots, tyre wear, and different pit strategies will be taken into account during planning, so that both qualifying and the race are equally entertaining. The design team also hopes spectators can experience the thrill of cars speeding past up close, making the circuit a true "roller coaster."
Altitude of About 1,500m – Aiming to Build a Year-round Sports and Entertainment Hub
Kigali sits at an altitude of about 1,500 metres, meaning lower air density could affect cars' aerodynamic performance and downforce. Wurz said the team is using simulators to test the circuit's characteristics, studying corner banking, tyre temperatures, and grip changes, aiming to challenge drivers while creating more attacking and defensive opportunities. He expressed full confidence in the project, hoping the new circuit will quickly become a classic among drivers and fans.
Under the plan, the venue will not only host F1 races but also other motorsport activities, concerts, exhibitions, and large-scale events. It will include karting facilities, a driving experience centre, and off-road sections to nurture local racing talent and promote motorsport across Africa. The organisers also plan to incorporate Rwanda's local village style into the pit area and related buildings, combining local architectural features with the red-earth landscape.
Returning to Africa After 33 Years – Rwanda Hopes to Drive Continent-wide Development
The last time F1 held a World Championship round in Africa was the 1993 South African Grand Prix. Previously, only South Africa and Morocco had hosted F1 World Championship rounds in Africa, with Morocco hosting a race in 1958. With Rwanda joining the calendar, it will become the third African country to host an F1 World Championship round.
F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali described the sport's return to Africa as an important moment in F1 history. Rwandan President Paul Kagame said the 10-year partnership should not benefit Rwanda alone, but should bring more opportunities for the whole of Africa to participate in international sport, creating long-term benefits through tourism, investment, and infrastructure development.
Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, also noted that naming the race the "African Grand Prix" is intended to break the boundaries of a single country and make the project a new starting point for motorsport development in Africa. As the F1 calendar becomes increasingly global, whether Rwanda can further attract international events and tourists through its new circuit and long-term investment remains to be seen, pending infrastructure construction and follow-up arrangements.
(Video source: F1)
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