The world’s first all-electric powerboat racing competition, the E1 Series, is set to make its African debut in Lagos, with the city’s lagoon hosting the races over the weekend of October 4-5, according to a report by BBC Sport Africa.
The event is championed by former Chelsea and Ivory Coast football star, Didier Drogba, who is a team owner in the E1 Series, alongside global icons like Tom Brady, LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, and actor Will Smith.
Drogba confirmed to BBC Sport Africa that bringing the race to Africa was a major goal when he invested. “We want people to discover our culture, to discover our history. That’s why Lagos is for us a good choice, because it’s a vibrant city,” Drogba stated.
The E1 Series promotes sustainability in marine sports and gender equality, as every team is required to have one female and one male pilot. Drogba’s co-investor and partner, Gabrielle Lemaire, emphasized that Nigeria’s largest city fits the bill because its young population provides an opportunity to “advocate for sustainability.”
The competition, which has previously visited venues like Venice, Monaco, and Doha, is currently in its second season. Drogba expressed hope that the Lagos race will inspire young African talent to get involved in the sport and its focus on clean technologies.
