Return to Africa: Does Rwanda use Formula 1 only for its own purposes?

Formula 1 in Rwanda: Sportswashing or Opportunity for Africa? October 19, 2026 Rwanda's sports portfolio continues to grow: The country has confirmed that it intends to host Formula 1 races starting in the early 2030s. The track is to be built in Bugesera near the international airport of Kigali, where Qatar Airways, a sponsor of Formula 1 itself, has a 60 percent stake. "As an African, to experience this actually happening in my lifetime makes me incredibly happy. The last Formula 1 race in Africa on the Kyalami track (in South Africa, according to the editorial office) took place before I was born," said the South African moderator and content creator Nqobile Khwezi to Sky Sports. "Giving the Formula 1 world and its audience a glimpse of what Africa has to offer would be wonderful." Formula 1 itself also highlights the opportunities for the host country. "With this race, we have the opportunity to bring the excitement of Formula 1 to our more than 100 million fans in Africa. We are firmly convinced that sport can be a positive force for social change," explained a spokesperson for the racing series to "The Athletic". DW requested a statement from the Rwandan Ministry of Sports but received no response despite the request. Kagame continues to bet on sport The commitment to sport is not surprising for Rwanda's President Paul Kagame. In recent years, he has invested more heavily in European football and the North American basketball league NBA. Rwanda was even a sponsor of FC Bayern Munich at one point. However, after criticism from fans and the media, the federal minister ended the commercial cooperation with the Rwandan tourism brand "Visit Rwanda" last year. Since Kagame and his government are accused of sportswashing by many observers, the commitment of Formula 1 raises new questions. According to the sports business portal Sportico, the racing series is estimated to be worth around 34 billion US dollars (about 30 billion Euros). "This agreement can have positive economic and social impacts for Africa. At the same time, we should not lose sight of the reality in Rwanda," said Lewis Mudge, Director for Central Africa at Human Rights Watch (HRW), to DW. The human rights organization had previously written to Formula 1 in February 2025 and asked how the racing series assesses the human rights implications of its activities, especially in connection with Rwanda's bid for a Grand Prix. No answer was provided. Mudge therefore demands that Formula 1 carefully examine the human rights situation before finally approving races in Rwanda. "Rwanda, like other countries in the past, has used high-profile sporting events to distract from its catastrophic human rights record," he said. Furthermore, the country is significantly involved in supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwandan forces are linked to expulsions and deaths of civilians who may have violated international humanitarian law. Human Rights Activists: "Rwanda is a brutal dictatorship" Mohamed Keita of the Human Rights Foundation also generally welcomes the return of Formula 1 to Africa but views the choice of host country critically. "The fact that Formula 1 has excluded the world's second-largest continent from its racing calendar for three decades is in itself not justifiable and a flaw for a sport that is understood to be global," Keita told DW. At the same time, he described the decision for Rwanda as "extremely controversial". "Rwanda is a brutal dictatorship. Some US sanctions are in place against the regime for its military activities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Rwanda supports and finances a militia involved in rape, massacres, forced recruitment, and the violent exploitation of resources." Only Rwanda or also South Africa? Formula 1 has a long history on the African continent. A race was already held in Morocco in 1958. Most recently, the racing series hosted the Kyalami Circuit in Johannesburg in 1993. However, many earlier races in South Africa were overshadowed by apartheid policies. Although Rwanda received the first opportunity, South Africa is convinced that it can hold a Formula 1 race again before 2030. When Rwanda announced its plans, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa congratulated them on social media and spoke of recognizing the capabilities of Rwanda and the entire African continent. South Africa's Minister of Sport Gayton McKenzie also congratulated them but confidently added: "South Africa will get Formula 1, even before 2030." In fact, holding a race in South Africa would be significantly cheaper and faster to implement, as suitable infrastructure already exists there. The Chance for a Legacy Regardless of the location, the return of Formula 1 offers the opportunity to create a long-term legacy. Motorsport is still an area where most decision-makers, team bosses, engineers, and drivers are white men. The hope is that stronger engagement in Africa could help to reduce these imbalances. "The real value of a Formula 1 race lies in promoting education in STEM subjects, developing technological skills, inspiring young girls and women, and creating equal opportunities. If this is the goal and it is achievable, then I say yes to Formula 1 in Africa," said South African sports expert Kamilla Swart-Arries to DW in 2024. Expensive Sport in a Poor Land "I hope that Formula 1 will examine additional investments in the development of African talent in motorsport. The series could do a lot of good if it really wants to advance the sport in Africa. At the moment, however, Rwanda makes little sense, unless one does it primarily for the benefit of a single autocrat and because of the attractive hilly landscape." Keita also refers to the country's economic reality: "Here, the world's most expensive sport should be brought to one of the poorest countries in the world. Rwanda is regularly listed by the United Nations as one of the 25 least developed countries." The return of the "royal class" of motorsport to Africa is undoubtedly a significant moment for Rwanda and the entire continent. It raises questions about the role of sport in President Kagame's foreign policy but also opens up the chance to set sustainable impulses for education, technology, and participation. Unlike on the racetrack, the success of this project will not depend on who is fastest, but on who best utilizes the opportunity.