South Africa was among several African countries that had expressed interest in bringing Formula 1 back to the continent, alongside Morocco and Nigeria. Rwanda secured a 10-year agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix from the early 2030s, beating competing ambitions to bring the championship back to Africa for the first time since 1993.

In a statement posted on X, Ramaphosa said South Africa shared Rwanda's pride in preparing to host the globally prestigious motorsport event at a planned circuit in Bugesera District.

“This contract is a recognition of the capabilities of the Rwandan nation and of our continent more broadly,” he said on Wednesday.

Ramaphosa also offered South Africa's support, citing the country's experience hosting the first Formula 1 Grand Prix on African soil in 1993 and organising other major international events.

“As host of the first Grand Prix on African soil in 1993, and organiser of other major global events, South Africa will be happy to provide any support we may be invited to share,” Ramaphosa stated.

He described the race as another addition to Rwanda's growing portfolio of international sporting events, including Tour du Rwanda and the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, which made Rwanda the first African country to host the global cycling competition.

“Congratulations, Rwanda. You are in pole position to make all of Africa proud and take motorsport to new heights,” he added.

Rwanda's 10-year agreement with Formula 1 was announced in Kigali on October 13, 2026, by President Paul Kagame, Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali, and Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

The race, to be known as the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda, will be held at a purpose-built circuit planned for Bugesera District, approximately 40 kilometres south of Kigali and near the new Kigali International Airport.

The circuit will be developed to FIA Grade 1 standards as part of a broader sports, tourism, infrastructure and commercial development project led by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

The agreement will bring Formula 1 back to Africa for the first time since the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami, near Johannesburg.

Rwanda has pursued a place on the championship calendar for several years, with efforts gaining momentum after Kigali hosted the FIA General Assembly and Awards in December 2024.

At the October 13 announcement, Kagame said the agreement represented a milestone for Rwanda and Africa, expressing hope that it would pave the way for other African countries to host Formula 1 races.

He said the project was intended to generate economic opportunities in tourism, hospitality and entertainment, while creating lasting benefits for local communities.

Formula 1 President and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali said Rwanda was the right partner for the championship's return to Africa, highlighting a vision that extends beyond hosting race weekends to creating opportunities in tourism, investment, skills development and local business growth.

“For many years, we have spoken about our desire to return, but always said we would return in the right way, with the right vision and the right partners. That partner is Rwanda,” Domenicali said at the announcement in Kigali.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem pledged the federation's support in preparing Rwanda for the race, including through training, education and grassroots initiatives to develop local motorsport talent.

He stressed that the project was intended to benefit the wider continent, noting that the race would be called the Formula 1 African Grand Prix rather than the Rwanda Grand Prix.

“It's not called Rwanda F1. It's called Africa. This is sending a message. It is about Africa,” he remarked.

Ben Sulayem also revealed that Rwanda's debut Formula 1 race is expected to feature the sport's planned V8 engines, which he said are targeted for introduction in 2030.

“The beauty about 2030 is that we are working together so that the launch of the new V8 will be in 2030. So Rwanda is going to have that engine in the first-ever race,” he revealed.