Formula 1 could be making its long-awaited return to Africa, with Rwanda emerging as the continent’s strongest contender to host a Grand Prix from 2030. The proposed race in or around Kigali would mark the first F1 race on African soil since the South African Grand Prix was last held in 1993, bringing one of the world’s biggest sporting events back to the continent after more than three decades.

While Formula 1 has yet to officially confirm Rwanda’s place on the calendar, South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture has conceded that Rwanda currently has the advantage in the race to secure the continent’s next Grand Prix.

“We are happy for Rwanda’s 2030 F1. They have worked on it longer than SA and deserve it,” he said, while adding that South Africa still expects to host a race before 2030.

The comments come as both countries continue to pursue an F1 return, with Rwanda’s bid gaining momentum around its plans for a new circuit near Kigali.

For Rwanda, hosting Formula 1 would be another major step in the country’s growing ambitions as a destination for international sport. The country has increasingly positioned itself as a host for major global sporting events, including the NBA’s Basketball Africa League and cycling’s World Championships. Rwanda’s potential arrival on the F1 calendar would also be significant for the wider continent.

Africa is currently the only inhabited continent without a Formula 1 race. With Grands Prix held across Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Australia, the absence has become increasingly difficult to ignore, particularly as the sport continues its push into new markets.

Lewis Hamilton has been one of the most vocal advocates for changing that.

The seven-time world champion has spent years pushing Formula 1 to return to Africa, arguing that the continent should not be left out of the sport’s global expansion.

“For the past six years, maybe seven, I’ve been fighting in the background to get a Grand Prix … sitting with stakeholders and asking the question: ‘Why are we not in Africa?’” Hamilton said earlier this year.

Hamilton, whose father is of Grenadian descent, has also said that he does not want to leave Formula 1 without racing on the continent. “I don’t want to leave the sport without having a Grand Prix there, without getting to race there,” he said. “There’s one on every other continent, why not Africa?”

For now, Rwanda’s 2030 race remains a proposal rather than a confirmed addition to the F1 calendar. But after 37 years without a Grand Prix, Africa could finally be getting another chance to host Formula 1.

And if Rwanda gets there first, Kigali could soon become the centre of African motorsport.