LAGOS, Oct. 6 (AGCNewsNet) - Champagne sprayed in Lagos this weekend, not for a car race but for an electric boat competition, as the Nigerian city hosted Africa’s first grand prix in the E1 series, the world’s inaugural all-electric powerboat racing championship.

Sunday’s event on the Lagos Lagoon marked the series’ debut on the continent, featuring battery-powered hydrofoil boats known as RaceBirds, which lift above the water to cut drag and emissions.

Team Brazil secured its first win of the season in Lagos. “This win in Lagos for Team Brazil is very important. It’s the best result so far in the season, so it’s amazing,” said pilot Ieva Millere-Hagin, according to race organisers.

The E1 series was launched in 2024, following the model of other electric racing competitions such as Formula E. Nine teams are competing this season, backed by celebrity owners including former Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, U.S. actor Will Smith and former Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba.

“Didier [Drogba] is one of our team owners, and he was very passionate about bringing the race to Africa,” said John Williams, managing director of the E1 Series, according to organisers.

Williams added the series aimed to expand from nine to 12 teams and increase the race calendar, with hopes to “do many more races here in Lagos going forward.”

The Lagos state government estimated the event could generate up to $100 million in tourism and hospitality revenue. “It was a way to show the strength and the extent into which Nigeria can bring together massive events like this because we’re the first African country to do this sort of thing,” said spectator Oluwadamilola Osundhin, according to local authorities.

Lagos was the sixth city to host the championship this year, after Jeddah, Doha and Monaco, among others. The season will conclude in Miami in November.

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