A hush will fall over the harbour as sleek, silent vessels, RaceBirds, are set to hover just above the water’s surface, gliding like futuristic seafaring birds.
It all began in Monaco, during the latest E1 Racing event, a realm where innovation meets speed.
Today, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced that come October 4–5, 2025, Lagos will become the stage for a pioneering spectacle: Africa’s first-ever E1 Electric Powerboat Championship.
The E1 Championship, Governor Sanwo-Olu said at a media parley at Victoria Island, through his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Sam Egube, is a major milestone, not just for Lagos, but for the entire continent.
For Lagos, it was more than a hosting gig, it was a declaration that the city is ready to lead conversations on clean energy, sustainability, and blue economy innovation.
Power, Culture, and the Pulse of Lagos
Set against the iconic skyline of Lagos, this isn’t merely a race, it’s going to become a cultural showcase.
Governor Sanwo-Olu invoked the city’s soul in his announcement: “This is an opportunity to show the world what makes Lagos special; our culture, our energy, and our people”.
Adding depth to the narrative is a strategic collaboration with Afreximbank, which has backed Team Drogba, an E1 racing team led by football legend Didier Drogba. This isn’t just sponsorship; it’s a confident embrace of Africa’s capacity to host world-class, eco-forward ventures.
Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, the commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, expressed optimism that influx of tourists into the state during the E1 championship would boost local economy.
She urged artisans, traders, fishermen, and those in the hospitality industry to tap into the opportunity for economic development of the state and Nigeria at large.
On his part, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the commissioner for Transportation, emphasized that there are many untapped potential in Lagos waterways noting that the championship would encourage more people to use alternative means of transportation on the water, while hinting of the Omi Eko project which will unveil seventy two electric boats on Lagos waterways.
Rodi Basso, the co-founder and CEO of the E1 Series, an Italian aerospace engineer with a background in high-level motorsport, was on the ground to field questions from journalists.
He hinted that Lagos competed with other global cities to secure the hosting rights which would open the State for more investment opportunities in global sport and entertainment.
While hinting that nine teams including Didier Drogba and Will Smith teams will be in Lagos for the Electric boat racing, assured that the technology driven sports would be sustained in partnership with the Lagos State government.
“While the ocean is known as one of the most challenging environments of nature, the boating industry is making some significant changes to how they operate their watercraft, however, there are still challenges that remain and, to overcome those challenges, organisations must redesign and innovate in ways unseen in the industry”
“The E1 Series showcases the technical prowess behind such important developments in the marine industry, but also how boats can become more sustainable, by leveraging alternative power and unique architecture to minimise their impact in even the most challenging scenarios.”
Some veteran sports Journalists like Femi Obong-Daniels, commended the Lagos State government for the initiative which they noted would go a long way on the global sporting map in making Lagos the investment capital of Africa.
In a vote of thanks, Mr Gboyega Akosile, the special adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Media and Publicity, said the E1 championship will bring together over two hundred and fifty sports personalities together in a bid to promote clean energy, sustainability and new approaches to the blue economy, saying Lagos is ever ready to activities that will spotlight it to generate revenue and increase the its Gross Domestic Product and that of the country at large.
What’s at Stake – Beyond High-Speed Adrenaline
This event signals more than sleek hydrofoils and podium finishes. It whispers of an economic evolution:
Tourism & Global Spotlight: Expect cityscapes studded with international visitors, along with cultural exhibitions and tech showcases that tell Lagos’s story to the world.
Innovation & Sustainable Development: Lagos joins an elite club; Monaco, Venice, Jeddah, Rotterdam, stepping confidently into the realm of green urban excitement.
Long-Term Vision: The electric powerboats, part of an eco-conscious movement, reflect a commitment to marine sustainability and renewable mobility, positioning Lagos as a gateway for green investments across the continent.
Racing Toward Tomorrow
As Lagos readies its waterways for this pioneering race, the city charts a bold new narrative: one that merges eco-innovation with cultural dynamism, tourism with technology, and sport with sustainability.
When the whistle blows and the RaceBirds lift above the waves, it won’t just be a race, it will be Lagos asserting itself as a forward-thinking, global city, weaving its legacy into every silent, electric wave.
