Lagos made waves this weekend — not with a car race, but on the waters of Lagos Lagoon, where the city hosted Africa’s first-ever E1 electric powerboat grand prix. The event marked a milestone for both Nigeria and the continent as the E1 Series, the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship, held its maiden African race.
The E1 Series, launched in 2024, features sleek, battery-powered hydrofoil boats called RaceBirds, designed to glide above the water, cutting drag and emissions. The Lagos Grand Prix drew international attention as Team Brazil claimed their first win of the season.
“This win in Lagos for Team Brazil is very important — it’s our best result so far, and it’s amazing,” said pilot Ieva Millere-Hagin.
Backed by a lineup of global celebrities including Rafael Nadal, Will Smith, and Didier Drogba, the E1 Series has quickly gained traction as the marine equivalent of Formula E. Drogba, a co-owner of one of the teams, played a key role in bringing the race to Africa, according to E1’s Managing Director John Williams.
“Didier was very passionate about bringing the race here,” Williams noted, adding that organizers plan to expand the competition to 12 teams and host more races in Lagos.
The Lagos State Government estimates the event could inject up to $100 million into the local tourism and hospitality sectors.
“It’s a chance to show how capable Nigeria is of hosting massive international events,” said local attendee Oluwadamilola Osundhin.
Lagos became the sixth city to host an E1 race this year, joining Jeddah, Doha, and Monaco, with the season finale set for Miami in November.
For Lagos, the weekend was more than just a sporting success — it was a statement of innovation and global relevance, positioning Nigeria at the forefront of sustainable sports and electric technology in Africa.
