DR Congo minister says she warned F1 before Rwanda deal

Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s foreign minister, says she warned Stefano Domenicali and the F1 authorities in February 2025 that hosting a grand prix in Rwanda would be “morally indefensible”. Her account comes after Formula 1 agreed a 10-year deal to race in the country.

In a written statement to The Athletic, reported by RacingNews365, Wagner urged F1 to demand credible, independent guarantees that money used to stage the race would not come from conflict-linked minerals or the exploitation of Congolese resources.

Wagner said DR Congo welcomed F1’s return to Africa, but argued that giving President Paul Kagame the race would help improve his image. She accused his government of helping fuel a devastating war in her country.

The United Nations has documented thousands of Rwandan troops operating alongside the M23 rebel group in eastern DR Congo. The UN Security Council has demanded Rwanda withdraw its forces. The fighting has displaced more than seven million people across DR Congo, including over 2.5 million in North Kivu.

Separate investigations by the UN and Global Witness have alleged that coltan and other minerals looted in rebel-controlled parts of DR Congo are smuggled into Rwanda, where they enter its official export supply.

Rwanda denies any military involvement with M23 and rejects mineral-smuggling allegations. It says its troop presence is a defensive measure against the FDLR militia.

An F1 spokesperson said the championship had brought economic, social and cultural value to host countries and argued that sport could drive change and unite people. The spokesperson described the race as an opportunity to inspire the more than 100 million fans F1 estimates it has in Africa, and said the championship ensured promoters and partners upheld its standards, values and integrity.

The African Grand Prix is expected to begin in the early 2030s at a purpose-built circuit in Bugesera, roughly 40 kilometres south of Kigali. The fees to host the race and the circuit’s construction costs have not been disclosed.