South African Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie has asserted that Formula 1 will return to South Africa before 2030, despite ongoing developments that suggest Rwanda is poised to host the first F1 race on the continent since 1993. Rwanda is advancing plans to hold a Grand Prix near the capital city of Kigali, which President Paul Kagame expressed interest in as early as 2024.
Kagame’s government is currently working on establishing a permanent racing circuit approximately 25 miles from Kigali. An announcement regarding F1’s return to Africa is expected by the end of this year. This development comes as Rwanda prepares to become the first African nation to hold an F1 event since the South African Grand Prix was last run at Kyalami three decades ago.
In a post on social media platform X, McKenzie acknowledged Rwanda’s progress in securing the event, but emphasized that South Africa remains committed to hosting F1 races. “We are happy for Rwanda’s 2030 F1. They have worked on it longer than SA and deserve it,” he wrote. He juxtaposed this with Italy’s ability to host twice as many races, arguing that Africa, with its 55 countries, should also have more than one race.
“SA will get F1, even before 2030,” he added. Kyalami’s track has already received Grade 1 certification from the FIA, a necessary step for hosting F1 events. Any upgrades to the circuit will proceed only after a race date is confirmed. Additionally, there are proposals for a street circuit in Cape Town, expanding South Africa’s F1 hosting prospects.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has previously indicated a desire to return to Africa, though the packed calendar through 2027—featuring the return of Portugal and Turkey—complicates this ambition. Alongside Rwanda, South Africa, Morocco, and Nigeria have all expressed interest in joining the F1 calendar, highlighting a growing interest in the sport across the continent.
Rwanda has hosted significant events in motorsport, including the FIA prize-giving gala in 2024, where Kagame reiterated the country’s ambitions for an F1 race. Notably, Lewis Hamilton has voiced his support for an Africa-based Grand Prix, citing his travels across the continent and calling Rwanda “particularly stunning.”
As different nations vie for F1’s attention, the outcome of these negotiations will shape the future of racing in Africa and determine which country will first welcome the F1 series back to the continent.
