Phase Two Complete: Land Clearance Reaches 85% as Kigali Circuit Takes Shape

Construction crews working on the Kigali Grand Prix circuit have completed 85% of the land clearance phase, with the project team confirming this week that work remains ahead of schedule on the critical path to the 2030 race date. The milestone marks the effective completion of Phase Two of the six-phase construction programme.

The most complex element of the clearance phase — the diversion of underground utilities along the Convention Centre straight — was completed ten days ahead of the planned date, freeing up the longest section of the circuit for foundation work to begin. The straight, which runs for 820 metres along Boulevard de l'Umuganda, is expected to be the fastest section of the circuit, with cars projected to reach 310km/h before braking for the hairpin at Turn 7.

"The utility diversion was the single biggest risk on the entire project," said chief engineer Emmanuel Nkurunziza. "We had water mains, fibre optic cables, and power lines running directly under the proposed circuit surface. Getting all of that moved without disrupting the city's services was an enormous logistical challenge, and the team delivered it ahead of time."

With the clearance phase nearing completion, attention is now turning to Phase Three: the laying of circuit foundations and drainage infrastructure. This phase, which is scheduled to run from December 2029 through to April 2030, involves the installation of a specialist drainage system capable of handling Kigali's heavy seasonal rainfall without compromising the circuit surface.

The drainage design has been developed in close consultation with the FIA's circuit safety team and draws on lessons learned from other tropical street circuits, including the Singapore Grand Prix. A network of 1,200 drainage channels will be installed beneath the circuit surface, connected to a central pumping station capable of clearing standing water within 15 minutes of rainfall stopping.

Overall project completion currently stands at 34%, with the construction team on track to reach 60% by the end of the first quarter of 2030. The project's independent monitor, appointed by the FIA, confirmed in its latest quarterly report that there are no current risks to the November 2030 race date.