African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has welcomed an agreement to bring Formula 1 racing to Rwanda, describing it as a milestone for African sport and the continent’s ambitions to host major international events.
In a statement issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Friday, October 23, 2026, Youssouf congratulated Rwanda on the development, highlighting the potential benefits of hosting a global motorsport event.
He said major sporting events could raise Africa’s international profile, attract investment, promote tourism and create opportunities for young people to develop skills and expertise.
The AU Commission also highlighted sport’s potential to support economic growth, create jobs and strengthen partnerships between governments and the private sector.
Youssouf said the initiative aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which envisions an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa with a stronger role in global affairs.
He called for continued cooperation between AU member states, private-sector players and other stakeholders to harness sport as a driver of development across the continent.
The proposed Formula 1 project would place Rwanda among the African countries seeking to attract major international sporting events, although details of the agreement, including the proposed circuit, timeline and hosting arrangements, require confirmation.
