New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- 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...