Hidden: The Part of Rwanda's Formula One Deal The Media Is Not Telling You
On June 12, Kigali's parliament ratified a 10‑year agreement with the Formula One Group, allowing the first African Grand Prix in over three decades. The deal earmarks a new 3.5‑km circuit on the outskirts of the capital. It positions Rwanda as a potential motorsport hub, drawing international attention and investment. Yet the contract also stirs debate over fiscal responsibility and ecological impact.
What Happened: The 10‑Year F1 Pact
Account to the New Times, a local daily, reported that the agreement was signed in the presence of President Paul Kagame, F1 Group CEO Stefano Domenicali, and Kigali City Council members. The pact grants the Formula One Group exclusive rights to host a Grand Prix in Rwanda for ten years, with the first race slated for 2026. The contract stipulates a total investment of $350 million, half of which will be allocated to build a 3.5‑km, 12‑turn circuit on the former industrial zone of Nyarugenge. The agreement also includes a revenue‑sharing model: 55% of ticket sales, 30% of broadcast rights, and 15% of sponsorship deals will go to the Rwandan government, while the remaining 20% stays with F1. A small but concrete detail noted by the report is that the
