Drogba speaks on E1 World Championship coming up in Lagos in October
Drogba with Sanwo-Olu, Dangote and Pololikashvili
Drogba speaks on E1 World Championship coming up in Lagos in October
Chelsea football legend Didier Drogba has announced that Lagos, Nigeria, will host Africa’s inaugural E1 World Championship, the world’s first all-electric powerboat racing series, on October 4-5, 2025.
The declaration, made during a high-profile meeting in Monaco, was shared via an Instagram post by Drogba (@didierdrogba), which garnered over 29,000 likes, including from former teammate Mikel John Obi.
The post captured his excitement about collaborating with Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote, and UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili, whom Drogba called his “brothers.”
“It is always such a pleasure to spend some quality time with my brothers,” Drogba wrote, highlighting the historic decision to bring the E1 Series to Lagos, making it the first African city to host the event and the fifth globally after Monaco, Venice, Jeddah, and Rotterdam.
The post sparked an outpouring of enthusiasm from Nigerian fans, with comments like, “Legend! The reason most of us support Chelsea, Nigerians love you,” and “The father of Arsenal, the king of Wembley, king of Munich.. you’re welcome to Nigeria,” reflecting Drogba’s enduring popularity in the country.
The E1 Championship, launched in 2024 by Formula E creator Alejandro Agag and engineer Rodi Basso, features the RaceBird, an electric hydrofoil powerboat reaching speeds up to 93 km/h, emphasizing clean energy and marine sustainability.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, a key supporter, described the event as a chance to showcase Lagos’ vibrant culture and global relevance, stating, “This is an opportunity to show the world what makes Lagos special, our culture, our energy, and our people.”
He also praised Afreximbank’s investment in Team Drogba, a participant in the series, noting its role in elevating Lagos as a hub for innovation and sports tourism.
Drogba, a former Côte d’Ivoire striker who led Chelsea to the 2012 UEFA Champions League title, emphasized the event’s sustainability focus, saying, “Africa should not be left out. We are interested in the sustainability part of it, because I know our continent is looking forward to seeing the changes we need to implement.”
The collaboration, backed by Dangote’s influence and Afreximbank’s financial support, is expected to boost Lagos’ waterways infrastructure and draw global visitors, blending sport, culture, and environmental leadership.
The announcement follows earlier engagements, including a February 2025 visit by Drogba and E1 organizers to Lagos, where Sanwo-Olu hosted discussions to ensure the event’s success.
