{"id":2000129058,"date":"2026-10-13T19:41:57","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T17:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000129058"},"modified":"2026-10-13T19:44:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T17:44:15","slug":"kagame-dismisses-claims-that-formula-1-is-too-big-for-rwanda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/kagame-dismisses-claims-that-formula-1-is-too-big-for-rwanda\/","title":{"rendered":"Kagame dismisses claims Formula 1 is too big for Rwanda"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Speaking in Kigali on Tuesday, October 13, during a panel discussion with Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Kagame responded to doubts about whether a country of Rwanda\u2019s size could host one of the world\u2019s biggest motorsport events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI tell those people to take a deep breath, calm down, and wait to see what is coming,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kagame acknowledged that Rwanda is a small country but argued that its ambitions should not be judged by its size. He said the Formula 1 project forms part of wider development plans and should be considered in the context of Africa, rather than as an initiative benefiting Rwanda alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the Grand Prix should help Africa secure greater economic benefits from the global sports industry. African athletes, he noted, have contributed significantly to the international sports economy, while the continent has received comparatively little in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kagame highlighted that Rwanda wanted Africans to participate in motorsport beyond being spectators, with opportunities to work as engineers, technicians, entrepreneurs and investors, as well as future drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The remarks came as Formula 1 and Rwanda announced a 10-year agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix from the early 2030s. The race will take place at a new purpose-built circuit in Bugesera District, near the new Kigali International Airport, once construction is completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formula 1 last raced in Africa at the 1993 South African Grand Prix at Kyalami. The planned return will make Rwanda the latest African country to host a round of the championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domenicali said Rwanda had emerged as the right partner after years of Formula 1 seeking a suitable opportunity to return to Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor 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,\u201d he remarked, praising President Paul Kagame\u2019s leadership and the country\u2019s long-term vision, ambition and commitment to creating opportunities for its people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domenicali said the partnership was intended to deliver benefits beyond the race itself, including tourism, investment, skills development and growth for local businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is not simply about hosting a Grand Prix. This is about creating legacy and inspiration,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also noted that Africa has more than 100 million Formula 1 fans, saying the return would bring the sport closer to a growing audience and give young people opportunities to see themselves in careers linked to motorsport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ben Sulayem highlighted the importance of training, education and grassroots development, including opportunities to expand entry-level racing and build local technical skills. He said developing motorsport in Rwanda and across Africa would require greater access to the sport and investment in local talent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond the sporting ambitions, private investors are expected to play a leading role in developing Rwanda\u2019s Formula 1 circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to journalists after the announcement, Rwanda Development Board (RDB) Chief Executive Officer Jean Guy Afrika said the project had attracted strong interest from private-sector investors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have witnessed tremendous interest from the private sector. Family offices, some of them were here today, investment funds, high-net-worth individuals,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afrika said the investment interest reflected the commercial opportunities associated with the circuit, which is intended to serve as more than a venue for the annual Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The facility is being planned to host concerts, exhibitions and other events throughout the year, creating opportunities to generate revenue beyond race weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rwanda also projects that up to 300,000 consumers could be drawn to the country over a Formula 1 race weekend, according to Afrika.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said visitor spending could benefit hotels, restaurants, retailers and other service providers, while also contributing to tax revenues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The project is expected to create opportunities in tourism, employment, technical skills and business, with the potential to support local companies and attract further investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Kagame
President Kagame acknowledged that Rwanda is a small country but argued that its ambitions should not be judged by its size. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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The remarks came as Formula 1 and Rwanda announced a 10-year agreement to host the Formula 1 African Grand Prix from the early 2030s. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Formula 1 boss Domenicali said the partnership was intended to deliver benefits beyond the race itself, including tourism, investment, skills development and growth for local businesses.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
FIA President Ben Sulayem highlighted the importance of training, education and grassroots development, including opportunities to expand entry-level racing and build local technical skills. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

President Paul Kagame has told critics questioning Rwanda\u2019s ability to host Formula 1 to wait and see what the country has planned, arguing that the African Grand Prix is part of a broader ambition to create opportunities for Rwanda and the continent.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":131,"featured_media":2000129064,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[151,70],"byline":[192],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-2000129058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-editors-choice","tag-main-home-ighlight","byline-wycliffe-nyamasege"],"bylines":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":2000122456,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-11.58.47-AM.jpeg","title":"WhatsApp Image 2026-08-14 at 11.58.47 AM","mime_type":"image\/jpeg"},"user_id":131}],"contributors":[{"id":192,"name":"Wycliffe Nyamasege","slug":"wycliffe-nyamasege","description":"","image":{"id":2000122456,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/08\/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-14-at-11.58.47-AM.jpeg","title":"WhatsApp Image 2026-08-14 at 11.58.47 AM","mime_type":"image\/jpeg"},"user_id":131}],"featured_image":{"id":2000129064,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/kasi5830-af47c.jpg","alt":"Kagame dismisses claims that Formula 1 is too big for Rwanda","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":1000,"height":714,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/kasi5830-af47c.jpg","width":1000,"height":714},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/kasi5830-af47c.jpg","width":1000,"height":714},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/kasi5830-af47c.jpg","width":1000,"height":714},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/kasi5830-af47c.jpg","width":1000,"height":714},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/cdn.igihe.com\/en\/2026\/10\/kasi5830-af47c.jpg","width":1000,"height":714}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000129058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/131"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2000129058"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000129058\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2000129068,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2000129058\/revisions\/2000129068"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000129064"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2000129058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2000129058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2000129058"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=2000129058"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=2000129058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}