By Ghazali Ibrahim
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially confirmed that Lagos will host the E1 World Championship, a premier international electric powerboat racing series.
This event will make an historic feat for Lagos as the first in African continent.
The event, scheduled for October 4–5, 2025, makes Lagos the first African city to welcome the E1 Championship.
The E1 Series, recognized as the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing competition, features high-performance RaceBird craft capable of speeds up to 50 knots (over 90 km/h), racing on circuits near shorelines.
The series promotes clean energy, sustainable water mobility, and marine technology innovation.
Governor Sanwo-Olu made the announcement following a visit to Monaco, where he witnessed the championship in action.
He described the opportunity as a milestone, stating that Lagos is “ready to be part of the global conversation on clean energy, sustainability, and new approaches to marine transportation.”
He added, “This is an opportunity to show the world what makes Lagos special—our culture, our energy, and our people”.
The Lagos edition is backed by key partners including the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Team Drogba, a franchise co-owned by Ivorian legend Didier Drogba.
Afreximbank’s engagement underscores its commitment to Africa’s green innovation and economic development.
Speakers from the series highlighted that celebrity-backed teams including those associated with Tom Brady, Rafael Nadal, LeBron James, and Virat Kohli add global prestige and visibility to the event.
Hosting the E1 Championship is expected to boost tourism, attract international media attention, stimulate local job creation, and elevate Lagos’s international profile as an innovation hub.
The event aligns with Lagos’s ongoing sustainability agenda, including the €410 million Omi Eko water transport initiative, which aims to deploy over 78 electric ferries and 25 modern terminals by 2030.
Authorities said the race will be hosted on the Lagos Lagoon, leveraging the city’s advantage as a strategic coastal metropolis.
Preparations are underway to ensure a world-class experience from infrastructure upgrades and security planning to community engagement.
The championship will be broadcast globally and is expected to draw thousands of local and international spectators, media, and marine-technology enthusiasts.
Governor Sanwo-Olu concluded: “We’re bringing a world-class sporting event to our shores. We’re opening a new chapter for Lagos, and I can’t wait for the world to see what we have to offer”.
As Lagos joins cities such as Monaco, Miami, Doha, Jeddah, and Venice on the global E1 calendar, its hosting of the championship signals a bold step forward in showcasing Africa’s leadership in sustainable sport and innovation.
