Rwanda is making a bold bid to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix, 30 years after the prestigious racing event was last held on African soil. The country is investing $270 million in constructing a new track, designed by former F1 driver Alexander Wurz, approximately 25km from its capital city of Kigali.

The project aims to boost tourism and sports in Rwanda, with estimated costs of $270 million. According to the Rwanda Development Board, the event would assist in strengthening the country's tourist industry, which produced over $620 million in 2023. "From job creation to infrastructure upgrades, these events touch lives across the country," explained Rwanda's chief tourism officer Irene Murerwa.

Rwanda's bid to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix is part of a broader plan to establish the nation as a major international sports destination. In recent years, Rwanda has played host to the NBA Africa games, cementing itself as a basketball mecca in the continent of Africa. The country has also played sponsor to one of the world's largest football clubs, Arsenal, with its Visit Rwanda campaign.

However, Rwanda's efforts to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix have been met with criticism, with some labeling it as "sportswashing" due to geo-political tensions in the East African region. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) alleges that Rwanda sponsors the M23 rebels, who recently claimed to have captured Goma, the largest city in eastern Congo. This has led to an escalation of tension between the DRC and Rwanda.

Additionally, Rwanda's government has been accused of having "an abysmal track record" on human rights, with critics arguing that the country is using sports to distract from its internal issues. Lewis Mudge, the Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, stated, "Rwanda has major flaws with due process which violate its own internal laws or international standards."

Despite these criticisms, Rwanda has denied allegations of sportswashing, with President Paul Kagame stating, "I am happy to formally announce that Rwanda is bidding to bring the thrill of racing back to Africa, by hosting a Formula 1 grand prix." The president of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), Ben Sulayem, has also spoken in defense of Rwanda, saying, "When people cannot get what they want, they always blame it on sportswashing. I honestly don't care about what they say. I believe that what we are doing is right."

Rwanda's bid to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix is a significant development in the country's efforts to establish itself as a major player in the international sports scene. As the country continues to invest in its infrastructure and tourism industry, it remains to be seen whether it will be successful in its bid to host the prestigious racing event.

In the meantime, Rwanda faces stiff competition from South Africa, which is also bidding to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix. The outcome of this bid will have significant implications for the country's tourism industry and its reputation on the international stage.

As the battle for Rwanda's image continues, one thing is clear: the country is determined to make a name for itself in the world of sports, and its bid to host the Formula 1 Grand Prix is just the beginning.