Lagos, Nigeria will play host to the highly anticipated E1 World Championship in September 2025, an all-electric race boat competition poised to make waves in Africa.
The event, which is expected to draw international attention, was highlighted during a recent meeting between Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the event’s organisers and sponsors, including former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
The meeting took place at the State House, Marina, where Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed his excitement about Lagos being selected as the venue for the prestigious race.
Drogba, who is a key figure behind the introduction of the E1 World Championship to Africa, led the sponsor delegation, which also included Aleyandro Agag, Chairman of E1 Racing, and Pablo Agag, the company’s Strategic Adviser.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that hosting the E1 World Championship presents a unique opportunity to tell the story of Lagos in a sustainable manner.
He assured the organisers that the state was fully prepared to host the event, with the necessary infrastructure and manpower to accommodate visitors and athletes.
“We are building Lagos to be an African model city where global corporations can come and take advantage of the opportunities that are available here,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
The E1 World Championship is designed to promote water sports, and Drogba, who has been instrumental in driving the initiative across Africa, expressed his hope that the event will create opportunities for young African talents.
“Africa has got the best athletes in the world,” Drogba said, stressing the importance of the event’s sustainability component and how it aligns with the continent’s goals for positive change. He further expressed confidence in Lagos’s ability to compete and deliver an exceptional event.
The tournament has already attracted the interest of major international sports figures, including NBA forward LeBron James and tennis legend Rafael Nadal, both of whom have shown support for the race.
The event’s all-electric boats will not only showcase cutting-edge technology but also promote sustainability, with organisers aiming to make the sport both thrilling and environmentally responsible.
In addition to the E1 Championship, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted recent visits from other international sports entities, such as a team from Formula One, which came to assess Lagos’s infrastructure in preparation for future events.
He also mentioned the state’s partnership with the French Development Bank to improve Lagos’s waterways experience, including transitioning state-owned ferries from hydrocarbon-powered to electric boats.
This development is part of the governor’s broader vision to position Lagos as a global hub for innovation and entertainment.
The city’s strategic location, surrounded by water, offers ample space for large-scale events and is poised to provide a warm and hospitable environment for participants and spectators alike.
As preparations for the E1 World Championship continue, Lagos is set to be at the forefront of a new era in sports tourism in Africa.
With global interest in the event, the E1 Championship promises to be a milestone for both the state and the continent, showcasing Africa’s growing influence in global sports.
