Nairobi/Naivasha, Kenya – March 21, 2025 – The FIA Affordable Cross Car made a landmark appearance on the opening day of Safari Rally Kenya in Nairobi on Wednesday 20 March, officially presented and supported by His Excellency President William Ruto at the ceremonial start. Fourteen-year-old Kenyan driver Cheche Ababu then took the wheel for a televised demonstration run ahead of the Kasarani Super Special Stage, showcasing the vehicle’s potential to grow grassroots motorsport in Africa.

Unveiled in Kigali, Rwanda, during the FIA General Assembly last December by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the FIA-led project now enters an exciting new phase with strong governmental and institutional backing.

Built in just one month by students at the IPRC Polytechnic school Kigali, the cross car showcased in Nairobi was developed using FIA design blueprints and is a cost-effective, locally manufactured solution, with a target price of $5,000.

Driving African motorsport forward

The FIA Affordable Cross Car project is a key initiative in the FIA’s mission to grow motorsport at the grassroots level. The governing body for world motorsport invests significant funds each year into grassroots racing, with cross car serving as an entry point in the pathway to the World Rally Championship (WRC), World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), and World Rallycross Championship (World RX).

By increasing accessibility and affordability, the FIA and its member clubs are working to expand motorsport participation across Africa, ensuring young talent has the opportunity to develop and compete with equal opportunities.

The FIA Affordable Cross Car project has received significant attention from the motorsport community, with four-time Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen expressing his support for the initiative.

His Excellency the President, Hon. William Samoei Ruto, PhD, C.G.H, emphasized Kenya’s commitment to fostering motorsport talent:

“We want to create more opportunities for young Kenyans to participate in motorsport. For this reason, the Government of Kenya will support the FIA Affordable Cross Car project, which aims to develop motorsport talent in Kenya. I thank the FIA for providing free design blueprints for this car, encouraging local manufacturing while minimizing what it will cost. I urge all our local motorsport federations to collaborate with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority to make local production a reality."

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, reinforced the significance of the project:

"When I was elected as FIA President, I made a commitment to doubling participation in global motorsport and achieving that goal requires tackling accessibility head-on. The launch of the FIA Affordable Cross Car programme has created a vital entry point into off-road racing, offering the next generation of talent a pathway to compete and ensuring broader worldwide participation. I’m thrilled Kenya Motor Sports Federation will be utilising the FIA’s blueprints, and I look forward to seeing other ASNs follow their lead. Only by working together can we make motorsport more accessible to all."

Rodrigo Rocha, FIA Vice President for Sport Africa, said:

“With Cheche Ababu’s drive at Kasarani for the opening of the Safari Rally Kenya, we highlighted an exciting initiative for the future of grassroots motorsport—the FIA Affordable Cross Car project. This project, which is deeply cherished by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, embodies the FIA’s commitment to doubling global participation in motorsport, and expanding access for young drivers across all regions, especially on our continent, Africa. Let us all rally behind this initiative—an affordable, homegrown racing solution, produced in Africa, for African drivers.”

Maina Muturi, Chairman of the Kenya Motor Sports Federation (KMSF), said:

“The FIA Affordable Cross Car is a game-changer for Kenyan youth, providing them with a crucial entry point into motorsport. Yesterday, 14-year-old Cheche Ababu became an icon for the next generation, showcasing the opportunities this initiative creates. Motorsport’s future lies with young talent, and this project lays the foundation for tomorrow’s WRC stars. We will collaborate with the government, local sports academies, and county programs to expand this initiative across Kenya, ensuring accessibility for aspiring drivers nationwide. We’re delighted to plant this seed together with the FIA for a bright motorsport future.”

Christian Gakwaya, Chairman of the Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC), said:

“From the moment the FIA introduced the Affordable Cross Car project, we saw its potential and acted quickly. Partnering with the Rwandan Polytechnic, we built the first FIA-approved Cross Car in record time - less than a month - with local materials and skilled students. This initiative is not just about making motorsport accessible; it’s about fostering technical expertise and creating local manufacturing opportunities. With plans to produce 50 vehicles in the next three years, including exports to the region, Rwanda is proud to be leading the way in demonstrating that affordable motorsport is achievable.”

Fourteen-year-old FIA Affordable Cross Car driver Cheche Ababu said:

“I barely slept the night before - I was so excited! The rain and strong wind made me think the run might not happen, but we pulled it off, and it was incredible. I only wish opportunities like this had existed earlier. That said, I’m here now, aiming to reach the top level nationally and step up to more powerful cars like Rally2s in the next two years, and my ultimate goal is to reach the top tiers of motorsport - whether that’s F1 or Rally1. Between karting and cross car, it’s hard to choose, but I think I prefer this because I’ve been competing in it longer. It’s been an amazing experience!"