Following the announcement of Rwanda hosting a round of the Formula One World Championship, critics claim a clear case of sportswashing.

Previously, countries with dubious records in terms of human rights, most notably Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have been accused of using a popular culture - in this case sport - in a bid to improve their image.

Now, following the news that Rwanda is to host a Grand Prix in the "early 2030s" the same charge has been levelled.

On Tuesday, hours after the announcement, Amnesty UK's head of campaigns, Felix Jakens, issued a statement in reaction to the news.

"A 10-year Grand Prix 'presented by Visit Rwanda' is a sportswashing prize for the Rwandan authorities," he said.

"Arsenal, Aston Villa, the cycling world championships and now Formula One, Rwanda is buying into the world's biggest sports to polish its image and deflect from its appalling human rights record," he continued.

"Formula One says sport can be 'a positive force for good'. That rings hollow if F1 shrugs off who it is partnering with. Rwanda's authorities are prolific in arbitrary detention, torture and the repression of free speech, these are abuses at home."

Now, the Democratic Republic of Congo's foreign minister, Kayikwamba Wagner has said that a race in Rwanda would merely "polish the image of an authoritarian leader".

In February 2025, when it first emerged that Rwanda was under consideration, in a letter to F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, Wagner called on the sport to abandon talks or risk having the F1 brand "smeared by a blood-stained association".

"While I applaud Formula 1's desire to host a grand prix in Africa, I question whether Rwanda would be a choice that best represents our continent," she wrote, "and urge you to end negotiations and rule Rwanda out as a potential host.

"Does Formula 1 really want its brand smeared by a blood-stained association with Rwanda?" she added. "Is this really the best country to represent Africa in global Motorsport?"

Insisting that she would "wholeheartedly support" South Africa's bid, she said: "South African soldiers on peacekeeping duties in my country have been killed by the very regime you seek to do business with.

"For the sake of those who have given their lives in the name of peace, make the right choice and at least make their sacrifice worth something."

In response, an F1 spokesperson said: "We have been closely monitoring the developments relating to the DRC and Rwanda and continue to do so.

"We have received requests from multiple locations around the world that wish to host a future Formula 1 race," they added. "We assess any potential request in detail and any future decisions would be based on the full information and what is in the best interests of our sport and our values."

Clearly, Rwanda passed the F1 test despite the fact that the DRC, U.S. and UN experts claim that Rwanda has been supporting M23 rebels in eastern DRC, while Rwanda insists the measures are simply to protect it from armed groups operating across the border.

Organisers pulled out all the stops for the announcement, flying in some of the sport's most-high profile media for the ceremony in Kigali, where President Paul Kagame said the race will be an "investment in Rwanda's future" in that it will bring "jobs, skills, tourism and new business to our country and our region for decades to come".

However, other than the sportswashing claims, there are also serious doubts relating to the economic boost the Grand Prix is meant to bring.

We have seen how Korea and India failed, and even closer to home France, Germany and the Netherlands have been unable to successfully balance the books.

Ranked 159th of the 193 countries on the United Nations' Human Development Index, Rwanda's GDP per capita was around $1,100 (£980) in 2025, according to the World Bank.

While the country is enjoying strong economic growth, particularly in terms of the services sector and industrial expansion, as is ever the case, not everyone is reaping the benefits.

Consequently, some are asking whether the money to be spend on building a circuit and paying the hosting fees could be better spent on education or healthcare.