Sanwo-Olu teams up with Didier Drogba to bring E1 Electric Boat Racing to Lagos

From right: Governor of  Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presenting eyo plaque to former Ivorian professional footballer, Didier Drogba and his wife, Gabrielle Lemaire during a courtesy visit by E1 powerboat racing team at the Lagos House, Marina, on Monday, 03 February 2025.

Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga

Lagos is set to host the E1 World Championship next September, with organisers of the all-electric race boat contest arriving in the city on Monday for an exploratory tour of the State’s waterways infrastructure.

This visit is aimed at ensuring the smooth hosting of the event.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed the event’s sponsors at the State House in Marina on Monday.

The team was led by Marlene Ngoyi Mvidia, the Chief Executive Officer of the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), a subsidiary of Afrexim Bank.

Ivory Coast’s former striker and European football titleholder, Didier Drogba, who is a key advocate for the E1 sport in Africa, joined the sponsor team, which also included Chairman of E1 Racing, Alejandro Agag, and Strategic Adviser, Pablo Agag.

The E1 World Championship introduces an exciting water sport to Africa, aiming to provide opportunities for young, talented Africans, particularly water sports enthusiasts.

Prominent figures in global sports have expressed interest in the tournament, including NBA forward LeBron James and tennis legend Rafael Nadal.

Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that Lagos’ selection as the host city for the event offers “another unique opportunity” to showcase the city’s sustainable growth.

He assured organisers that the State is well-prepared to host the world race boat 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,” said Sanwo-Olu.

“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,” he added.

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Sanwo-Olu also highlighted Lagos’ recent engagement with Formula One, where a team visited the city to assess traffic flow and transportation infrastructure, further demonstrating multinational interest in the State.

The Governor emphasised Lagos’ partnership with the French Development Bank to enhance the city’s 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 said.

The Governor praised Drogba as the ideal influencer for the tournament, recognising his status as a household name not only in football but also in talent development across Africa.

“Drogba is an inspiration and an icon whose name opens doors,” Sanwo-Olu remarked, thanking Afrexim Bank and E1 Racing for their vision.

Drogba, sharing insights into the introduction of electric boat racing to Africa, explained that the idea was first discussed in Riyadh when his team met with the E1 Racing Team.

He expressed a strong interest in the sustainability aspect of the sport, emphasizing that Africa is eager for positive change through the initiative.

“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,” he continued.

“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,” Drogba concluded.