… Event expected to boost tourism, unlock economic potential, and spotlight Lagos on global stage
Babajide FADOJU Reports…
For the first time in Africa, Lagos State, Nigeria’s city of aquatic splendour will host the E1 Electric Boat Race, the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship. Scheduled for October 4 and 5, 2025, the event is expected to boost tourism, unlock new economic opportunities, and further place Lagos on the global map as a hub for sport, entertainment, and business.
The World’s First All-Electric Powerboat Championship
The E1 GP (E1 GP) is a groundbreaking series created to revolutionise marine mobility while promoting sustainability and innovation. Launched in 2020 by Alejandro Agag, founder of Formula E and Extreme E, alongside former Formula 1 engineer Rodi Basso, the series showcases high-speed, zero-emission RaceBird boats designed for competitive racing on water.
Backed by global icons including Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Didier Drogba, and Sergio Pérez, the championship blends world-class sport with environmental advocacy, marine conservation, and clean energy innovation. Lagos will now join international host cities such as Monaco, Venice, Miami, and Jeddah, becoming the first African city to host the race.
Officials said the championship will attract thousands of visitors, strengthen the hospitality and creative sectors, create jobs, and open new opportunities for clean energy, waterway conservation, and youth engagement. The Lagos edition is being organised in collaboration with key local partners, government agencies, and private stakeholders committed to positioning the state as a premier destination for sustainable innovation and global sporting events.
Lagos Officials and Global Partners React
At a media parley with E1 CEO Rodi Basso, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Samuel Egube, said the race highlights Lagos’ global standing. He described it as a project that will boost GDP, showcase the city’s aquatic splendour, and place Lagos alongside other global destinations as a driver of sustainability and entertainment.
Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the event will open Lagos’ waterways to new opportunities, while Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, explained that the race aligns with the Omi Eko project, which is upgrading jetties and deploying larger electric boats to make water transport more efficient and affordable.
E1 CEO Rodi Basso said Lagos was a natural choice for Africa’s first race, describing the city as a place of energy, innovation, and resilience. He added that the series aims to inspire communities while promoting sustainability through zero-emission racing.
Chairman of the Sponsorship and Fundraising Committee for the Lagos race, Osayaba Giwa-Osagie, noted that with over 20 per cent of Lagos covered by water, the event will help unlock the hidden economic and environmental value of the state’s waterways.
With the countdown underway, Lagos is preparing to welcome the world to its waters in October 2025, for an event that blends sport, culture, innovation, and sustainability