President Paul Kagame has expressed confidence in Rwanda’s bid to host the prestigious Formula One Grand Prix, noting that progress is being made and that the country is also in talks to host MotoGP.
Kagame officially announced Rwanda’s candidacy for the F1 Grand Prix during his address to the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) General Assembly in Kigali in December 2024. Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, January 8, he said, “We did the bidding; it is making good progress, and we are also in discussions with MotoGP.”
Kagame highlighted the potential benefits of hosting such high-profile events, which he said would add to the country’s growing success in sports partnerships. He pointed to Rwanda’s hosting of the FIA General Assembly and the FIFA 2024 Awards in December, events that drew over 800 delegates from the global motorsports community.
“This is an addition to the good things that Rwanda has achieved through sports partnerships,” Kagame said. “You are also aware that this year we are going to host the world cycling championship here in Rwanda.”
Kagame emphasized that these events align with Rwanda’s broader strategic plans, promising significant benefits for the country, its businesses, and the wider African continent. He also noted that Rwanda’s tourism sector has benefitted from partnerships with top sports teams, such as Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain. These partnerships, he said, have helped open up Rwanda to business, tourism, and education, including the establishment of institutions like Carnegie Mellon University in Kigali.
“So far, I don’t know of any of these endeavors we have undertaken that have led the government to regret them,” he said. “With time, the benefits become more tangible.”