Lagos will host the E1 World Championship next September, as organizers of the all-electric race boat competition arrived in the city on Monday for an exploratory tour of its waterways infrastructure. The visit aims to ensure a seamless hosting of the prestigious event.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed the event’s sponsors at the State House in Marina, where he met with a delegation led by Marlene Ngoyi Mvidia, Chief Executive Officer of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), a subsidiary of Afrexim Bank.
Joining the team was Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba, a key advocate for E1 sport in Africa, alongside E1 Racing Chairman Alejandro Agag and Strategic Adviser Pablo Agag.
The E1 World Championship introduces a new and exciting water sport to Africa, providing opportunities for young and talented water sports enthusiasts across the continent. The event has drawn interest from major global sports figures, including NBA star LeBron James and tennis legend Rafael Nadal.
Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized that Lagos’ selection as the host city presents “another unique opportunity” to showcase the city’s commitment to sustainable growth. He assured organizers that Lagos is well-prepared to host the championship.
“Our governing vision is not just about making Lagos a global city; we are building Lagos as an African model city where global corporations can thrive and leverage the available opportunities. We are excited about the E1 Racing Team’s initiative and believe it represents not just their success, but the glory of the African dream,” Sanwo-Olu stated.
“We see this as a unique opportunity to tell the Lagos story in a sustainable way. We are fully prepared and transaction-ready for the tournament. I want to assure athletes and visitors that we have the manpower and infrastructure to handle all the opportunities this project brings.”
The Governor also highlighted recent engagements with Formula One, where a team assessed Lagos’ traffic flow and transportation infrastructure—demonstrating the city’s increasing global appeal.
He further underscored Lagos’ partnership with the French Development Bank to enhance its waterways experience, noting efforts to transition State-owned ferries from hydrocarbon-powered to electric boats.
“We are growing and building the city in an organised yet aggressive manner. We see Lagos as part of the global community in entertainment and innovation. Lagos, surrounded by water, has vast space to accommodate the logistics of the event. Participants and visitors will experience the warmth of our environment and the unique hospitality the city offers.”
Sanwo-Olu also praised Drogba as an ideal ambassador for the championship, recognizing his influence across Africa.
“Drogba is an inspiration and an icon whose name opens doors,” the Governor remarked, thanking Afrexim Bank and E1 Racing for their vision.
Speaking on the tournament’s introduction to Africa, Drogba shared that the idea was first discussed in Riyadh when his team met with the E1 Racing Team. He expressed a strong commitment to the sustainability aspect of the sport, noting its potential to drive positive change across the continent.
“When we discussed the new sport, we agreed that Africa should not be left out. We want to be part of it and see how it works. We are particularly interested in the sustainability aspect, as I know our continent is looking forward to seeing the changes we need,” Drogba said.
“As a public figure in Africa, I believe I can use my influence to make the sport impactful. Whether it’s for sustainability or inspiration in other sports, we will use our position to inspire both young athletes and adults to believe that it’s possible.”
The football legend further stressed Africa’s potential in the sport and Lagos’ readiness to compete.
“Africa has the best athletes in the world, and I believe Lagos is ready to compete in this sport. We’re here to seek the support of the Government because we need to start strong. We want to send a message to the world that the competition is here in Lagos, and we can replicate it anywhere.”
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