Africa’s ambition to develop homegrown motorsport talent has received a major boost after a continent-wide karting development plan earned recognition at the 2026 FIA Global Motorsport and Mobility Conference in Macau.

The initiative, presented by South African motorsport coach Wesleigh Orr, outlines a structured pathway aimed at helping young African drivers progress from grassroots karting to the highest levels of international racing, including Formula One.

Zambia is among the first eight countries already participating in the program, alongside Botswana, Rwanda, Angola, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Mozambique.

The program is designed to make motorsports more accessible in countries where permanent racing facilities are limited.

Instead of relying on expensive circuits, the model uses temporary tracks and standardized equipment to reduce costs while providing young drivers with quality training. Beyond developing drivers, the initiative also focuses on training race officials, mechanics, and coaches, allowing each participating country to establish a sustainable motorsport ecosystem.

Botswana recently became the first nation to officially launch a Karting Africa Academy, with dozens of young participants taking to the track as part of the pilot program.

The recognition by the FIA marks an important milestone for African motorsport as efforts continue to create opportunities for talented young racers without requiring them to leave the continent at an early stage of their careers.

With Zambia already part of the initiative, aspiring local drivers could benefit from improved access to structured training and future continental competitions.

Supporters of the program believe it has the potential to transform motorsport across Africa while creating a clear pathway for the continent’s next generation of international racing talent.