The wait is over as the historic E1 Lagos Grand Prix officially kicked off on Friday with a vibrant opening ceremony held at the Lagos Motor Boat Club, Ikoyi, where Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu flagged off the race weekend.
Blending speed, culture, and innovation, the iconic race brings the excitement of electric powerboat racing to the heart of Africa, with Lagos showcasing its waterways as a platform for sports tourism and sustainable development.
The E1 Lagos GP, part of the UIM E1 World Championship—the world’s first all-electric international offshore powerboat racing series—highlights the potential of Lagos’ blue economy and the state’s growing reputation as a host for major global sporting events.
Speaking at the well-attended ceremony, Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of E1, described the event as a landmark moment in the mission to expand electric racing across Africa.
“Bringing E1 to Africa is a pivotal step in making electric racing truly global,” Agag said.
African football legend Didier Drogba, co-owner of Team Drogba Global Africa alongside Gabrielle Lemaire, is representing the continent in the championship. The former Chelsea star expressed his excitement about Africa’s debut in the series and praised Nigeria for hosting the milestone event.
Governor Sanwo-Olu lauded the impact of the E1 Lagos GP and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to hosting future editions, aiming to make the race a permanent fixture on the global E1 calendar.
“Lagos is proud to welcome the world to our waterways. We are ready to compete with global cities through our resilience, competitiveness, and status as a hub for international business,” the Governor said.
He also commended the organizers and partners for bringing the race to Lagos and turning the vision into reality.
To conclude the opening ceremony, the RaceBirds—E1’s cutting-edge electric powerboats—took to the Lagos Lagoon, offering spectators a thrilling preview ahead of the qualifying rounds on Saturday, followed by the main race on Sunday.
The E1 Lagos GP sets the stage for a dramatic penultimate round in the battle to crown the 2025 ‘Champions of the Water’, ahead of the season finale in Miami.