Rwanda’s president Paul Kagame has officially announced the country’s ambitious bid to host a Formula One Grand Prix, which came while the FIA, F1’s governing body, was hosting its general assembly and prize giving in Kigali.
“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,” Kagame said, aiming to bring the world’s most prestigious motorsport back to Africa for the first time in three decades. F1’s journey in Africa began in 1962 with the inaugural Grand Prix at East London, South Africa, positioning the nation as one of the first non-European countries in the F1 World Championship. After the last Grand Prix in Africa that was held at South Africa’s Kyalami Circuit in 1993, efforts to return the sport to the continent have faced ongoing challenges.
While attending the end year F1 ceremony, Kagame assured the FIA of Rwanda’s position to be considered to host the much anticipated event in the African continent. Rwanda’s ambitious bid is backed by Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, who has expressed interest in Africa as a crucial market for the sport’s global expansion. “We want to go to Africa, but we need to have the right investment and the right strategic plan,” the F1 boss said during an interview in August. According to the BBC, Formula 1, “is experiencing an unprecedented boom on the continent,” with many Africans traveling to the Middle East — home to four annual F1 races — as a popular destination to watch the sport in person.