Nigeria’s Lagos, a major economic hub in Africa which is home to leading fintech companies and a dynamic, young population, recently hosted the inaugural E1 electric powerboat championship. This event marked Africa’s first time as a venue for the championship, positioning Lagos alongside global cities like Monaco, London, Venice, Jeddah, Doha, and Miami.
The Lagos Grand Prix (GP) is a significant achievement for African motorsport, showcasing the continent’s ability to host world-class events and its commitment to sustainability and technological advancement, per the Business Insider Africa.
The E1 powerboat championship, making its African debut in Lagos, gathered the world’s leading Formula 2 pilots and nine celebrity-backed teams.
Among the notable participants were Team Rafa (Rafael Nadal), Team Brady (Tom Brady), Team AlUla (LeBron James), Team Blue Rising (Virat Kohli), Team Westbrook Racing (Will Smith), Team Brazil (Claure Group), Team Drogba Global Africa (Didier Drogba Foundation), Team Miami, and The Steve Aoki Racing Team (Dani Clos and Mashael Alobaidan).
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Rodi Basso, E1’s founder and CEO, explained that Lagos was a deliberate choice due to its “incredible energy, creativity, and ambition,” which perfectly aligns with E1’s core values.
“We’re honoured to work with local partners to create a sporting spectacle that helps drive clean innovation while elevating Lagos’ profile as a global hub for sport and sustainable development,” Basso said.
The E1 Series event in Lagos follows races held in Jeddah, Doha, Dubrovnik, Lago Maggiore, and Monaco. Future stops for the series are planned for Monaco, Miami, Jeddah, and Doha.
President Bola Tinubu called the E1 Lagos GP a “statement of intent,” showing Nigeria and Africa are serious about leading the way to clean energy and a bright, sustainable future.
“This championship is not merely a thrilling spectacle on water but a statement of intent,” the president said.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised the event’s impact and committed to making the E1 race a regular fixture on the global E1 calendar by hosting more events down the line.
The E1 Series, the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship, was launched in 2024 and is sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM). This series features hydrofoil-equipped RaceBirds that can reach speeds of up to 50 knots, combining high-intensity competition with a commitment to sustainability by reducing environmental impact and showcasing advanced marine technology.
African football legend Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle Lemaire were instrumental in bringing the series to Africa, and they attended the event to support Team Drogba Global Africa.
E1 plans to expand its championship to 12 teams and increase the number of races from seven to 15, Reuters reported. The championship is currently seeking 20 million euros ($23.48 million) in new capital and aims for a valuation of 500 million euros by 2030. According to Basso, discussions with investors, including several high-net-worth individuals, are ongoing.
“We’re not in a rush,” he said. “But we have a compelling plan to accelerate over the next three to four seasons.”
Team Brazil grabbed its first win of the season in Lagos over the weekend. “This win in Lagos for Team Brazil is very important. It’s the best result so far in the season, so it’s amazing,” said Team Brazil pilot Ieva Millere-Hagin.
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