Lagos to Host Africa’s Inaugural E1 World Championship Race

Lagos has been officially confirmed as the first African city to host a race in the UIM E1 World Championship, the world’s premier all-electric raceboat series. The Nigerian metropolis will welcome the championship on October 4-5 this year, joining a prestigious roster of global host cities, including Monaco, Miami, and Doha.

As Africa’s largest city, Lagos is renowned for its commitment to sustainability and innovation. The event will feature the high-performance electric RaceBirds navigating the waters of Lagos Lagoon, marking a significant milestone in the E1 World Championship’s mission to advance sustainable marine mobility.

The Lagos race is supported by an influential African consortium, including the Didier Drogba Foundation, Lilium Capital Group, and the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), the investment arm of Afreximbank. Among the nine teams competing in the championship is Team Drogba, co-owned by football legend Didier Drogba.

Other teams are backed by global icons such as Tom Brady, LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, and Will Smith.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating: “We are thrilled to host the world’s most exciting electric racing championship in Lagos. E1 uses sport as a platform to promote sustainability, a crucial initiative for coastal cities like ours.

This race will showcase our vibrant city to a global audience.”

Football icon Didier Drogba shared his pride in bringing the event to Africa: “Hosting an E1 race in Lagos is a dream come true. It will highlight Africa’s drive for technological advancement and sustainability while celebrating the energy and warmth of our people.”

E1 co-founders Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso also expressed their excitement. Agag remarked, “Lagos is a dynamic city with bold ambitions. This event will blend sport, entertainment, and sustainability as we continue our electric revolution.”

Basso added, “Lagos is bursting with innovation, making it the perfect addition to our race calendar. This marks the expansion of E1 to its fourth continent, reinforcing its status as a truly global sport.”

The E1 World Championship is dedicated to advancing electric marine technology and championing sustainability on the world stage. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank, emphasized the race’s importance, stating that the partnership aligns with Afreximbank’s mission to foster innovation and sustainability across Africa.

“Afreximbank is proud to support the growth of E1 in Africa. Our commitment to advancing sustainable initiatives and technology across the continent is in perfect harmony with E1’s goals,” Oramah concluded.