What F1’s return to Africa means for a continent long overlooked by global sports

Though human rights groups call it sportswashing, analysts say Formula 1’s choice of Rwanda to host its first African race since the 1990s can become a watershed moment for the continent’s sports industry — if it can deliver lasting development.Rwanda President Paul Kagame last week announced the 10-year deal for an African Grand Prix from the early 2030s, a milestone he said could serve as a catalyst for sports across Africa.Besides South Africa, which has hosted World Cups in soccer, rugby and cricket — and the last F1 race on African soil in 1993 — the continent historically has been overlooked as a global sports destination.That’s starting to change.Rwanda last year hosted the road cycling world championships. In less than two weeks, Senegal will host the Youth Olympic Games — the first ever Olympic event in Africa. And in 2030 Morocco will co-host the men’s World Cup with Spain and Portugal.“There are some really interesting things beginning to happen in African sport now,” said S