Nigeria’s commercial hub, Lagos, has made history as the first African city to host the E1 electric powerboat race, the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, marking a milestone for innovation, clean energy and youth opportunity across the continent.
The race, held on Lagos Lagoon, saw Team Brazil by Claure Group claim its maiden victory in the world’s first all-electric raceboat championship staged in Africa.
The team’s pilots, Timmy Hansen, named PIF Pilot of the Race, and Ieva Millere-Hagin overcame delays caused by a tropical storm to defend their pole position and secure the win.
Virat Kohli’s Team Blue Rising finished second, while Team Drogba Global Africa, co-owned by football legend Didier Drogba and Gabrielle Lemaire, placed third.
Drogba attended the event, celebrating the achievement and the broader significance of E1’s arrival in Africa.
Lagos State Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised the event as a sign of the city’s global ambition.
“By joining cities like Monaco, London, and Venice on the E1 calendar, Lagos has once again shown that we are bold, resilient, and ready to take our place on the global stage,” he said.
Thousands of fans gathered along the waterfront, transforming the city into a festival of sport, sustainability and technology.
E1 founder and CEO Rodi Basso described the event as “a landmark moment” that reflected Africa’s growing passion for motorsport and clean innovation.
Following the Lagos race, the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF heads to Miami for the season finale in November, where Team Brady and Team Rafa will continue their duel for the Champions of the Water title.
