Rwanda is progressing in its talks to be a potential host of a Formula One Grand Prix in 2029, with government officials confirming that negotiations with the sport’s organisers are still underway. Formula One has been considering a return to Africa after more than three decades away from the continent, following the last African race, the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, won by four-time world champion Alain Prost. Jean-Guy Afrika, the Chief Executive of Rwanda Development Board (RDB), told said that discussions with Formula One were moving forward but had not yet reached a final agreement, noting that the plans are closely tied to the construction of a new international airport in Bugesera. “We’re in the race to possibly hold a Formula One event here in 2029,” said Afrika. “We actually want to use the airport as an opportunity to practically develop an entire new city. “So F1, the racetrack that we would have to build, the whole idea of the recreational facilities, because, in F1, people come mostly for entertainment. It is one week. So the airport will be done and the negotiations with F1 will be to bring the racetrack.” ALSO READ: Kagame says Rwanda’s bid to host Formula 1 Grand Prix progressing well Afrika added that the site could also potentially host Formula Two and Formula Three races. “F1 as a whole is a sport of great interest for us, even beyond bringing the racetrack, in terms of what we could do in the future because it’s the sport of global CEOs, tech entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals, and it is far more targeted. Watch this space because there may be some nice surprises in the near future.” F1 sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, told The Athletic that Rwanda is the continent’s most advanced contender to host a race in the future, though noted a date is yet to be set in stone, with 2030 also mentioned as a possibility. President Paul Kagame attended the penultimate Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar, as well as September’s race in Baku, Azerbaijan. Nelly Mukazayire, Rwanda’s minister of sports, echoed Afrika’s confidence. “Talks are going well,” she said. “F1 is something huge, so you as a country really need to prepare in terms of different aspects. Their calendar is getting busier and busier, but we have proven to be a trustable partner and a strategic partner, so we believe we will get there.” ALSO READ: Could Rwanda be Formula One’s next destination? Asked about doors being opened to the type of blue-chip companies that sponsor teams if F1 were to come to Rwanda, Mukazayire replied, “Precisely. Opportunities come out. Even with F1, all those leading companies, all those investors, it opens doors for investment into the nation but also into sport. “At the same time you are hosting the sport, you are also growing the sport in your industry, and we believe the potential is there. “So, instead of also limiting the African talent to what you would call only conventional sport, the growth of African talent should also look into those sports where there have not been enough opportunities for them. In addition to that, Mukazayire said, it is complementary to the whole ecosystem of sports business. Seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has called on F1 to bring a race to Africa in the past and said last year that he had “been doing a lot of work in the background and spoken to people in Rwanda and South Africa.” “We can’t be adding races in other locations and continue to ignore Africa, which the rest of the world takes from,” said Hamilton. “No one gives anything to Africa. There’s a huge amount of work there that needs to be done. “I think having a Grand Prix there would really be able to highlight how great the place is and bring in tourism and all sorts of things so why are we not on that continent?” The 2026 F1 calendar contains 10 races in Europe, seven in Asia, five in North America, one in South America and one in Oceania. The United States will host three Grand Prix, while Spain will host two. Kigali hosted the 2024 FIA Awards, during which Kagame confirmed his country’s intention to bid for an F1 race. Only two African countries–Morocco and South Africa–have ever hosted an F1 world championship race. The former achieved the feat first with the 1958 Moroccan Grand Prix at the Ain-Diab Circuit, with Stirling Moss going down as the first and only driver to win a race in the country. It hosted a race the year prior, but no championship points were on offer. South Africa first hosted a Grand Prix in 1962 at the Prince George Circuit, a street track in East London in the country’s Eastern Cape Province.
