Didier Drogba, the legendary Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, has swapped football pitches for the open waters as he becomes a key figure in the world’s first all-electric international powerboat racing competition, the E1 Series. The two-time African Footballer of the Year, who now co-owns a team in this groundbreaking event, finds himself in extraordinary company, rubbing shoulders with fellow sporting icons Tom Brady, LeBron James, Rafael Nadal and Virat Kohli, as well as Hollywood star Will Smith and music sensations like Marc Anthony and DJ Steve Aoki. Together, this star-studded lineup forms what might be the most glamorous ownership group in modern sport, all united by the mission to grow the E1 Series into a global motorsport powerhouse.
The E1 Series, billed as a sustainable and innovative marine sport, has already staged thrilling races in elite destinations such as Venice, Monaco, Dubrovnik, Doha and Lake Como, with Miami set to close the season. Now, for the first time in its short history, the championship is coming to Africa, with Lagos’ iconic lagoon hosting the high-octane spectacle on October 4-5, 2025. For Drogba, who has long championed African pride and visibility on the global stage, bringing the race to Nigeria is not only a professional triumph but also a deeply personal mission. “When we decided to jump on the journey with E1, the main goal was always to bring the race to Africa,” Drogba told BBC Sport Africa. “We want people to discover our culture, to discover our history. Lagos is the perfect choice because it is such a vibrant city.”
Drogba’s partner and co-investor, Gabrielle Lemaire, who also serves as vice president of the Didier Drogba Foundation, highlighted how Lagos’ youthful population and energetic spirit align perfectly with the series’ values. For her, E1 is more than racing — it is an opportunity to advocate for sustainability, gender equality and innovation. Each E1 team fields one male and one female pilot, symbolizing a progressive step toward inclusivity in professional sports. Lemaire stresses that this message is vital for inspiring young women across Africa to embrace opportunities in sports, technology and leadership.
Team Drogba itself reflects the competition’s blend of youth, experience and global diversity. The squad includes British teenager Oban Duncan, the youngest pilot in the championship and already a powerboat champion, paired with New Zealand Olympic sailing bronze medalist Micah Wilkinson. Drogba revealed his delight in mentoring Duncan, praising her determination and talent while noting how he encourages her with the same values that defined his football career energy, discipline and giving everything on the field of play. Despite her age, Duncan’s presence embodies E1’s vision of combining fresh talent with international experience to create a new generation of athletes.
While the Lagos event is set to ignite African interest in powerboat racing, Drogba has his eyes firmly on the future. He and Lemaire hope that by showcasing E1 in Nigeria, young African talent will be inspired to pursue careers in the sport and eventually become pilots themselves. Drogba has been vocal about his dream of seeing an African pilot compete in E1, calling it a milestone that would carry immense symbolic weight for the continent. The move would also tie in with the series’ ambition to “regenerate coastal waters through clean technology,” a mission that resonates strongly with African nations vulnerable to climate change.
Although the fierce competition plays out on the water, Drogba admits that the rivalry among team owners can be just as intense away from the racecourse. He jokingly described the WhatsApp group that connects the celebrity investors as a hotbed of trash talk, where even usually mild-mannered Rafael Nadal shows a cheeky side. With superstars like Brady, LeBron, Will Smith and Marc Anthony all vying for bragging rights, Drogba says he often has to restrain his competitive instincts, joking that if he brought the same mindset he used against rival strikers in football, he would “destroy” his fellow owners. This playful rivalry has become a cornerstone of E1’s appeal, blending world-class sport with entertainment and star power in a way few other competitions can match.
Beyond Lagos, Drogba is already pushing for another milestone bringing E1 to Ivory Coast, with Abidjan’s lagoon identified as a perfect venue. He points to the country’s successful hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations as proof that Ivory Coast can stage major international events and believes the technical requirements to host a race are already in place. If successful, it would cement Africa’s role as a vital hub for the future of electric motorsport, with E1 standing shoulder to shoulder with Formula 1 and Formula E in terms of ambition.
Drogba, who has so far resisted calls to go into coaching after his illustrious football career, says he is channeling the lessons learned from great managers and teammates such as John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Petr Cech into his leadership role within E1. For him, this next chapter is about translating the leadership and mentorship qualities from the pitch into a movement that combines sport, sustainability and global influence.
As E1 organizers target a valuation of £500 million ($675 million) within five years, the involvement of global icons ensures that the series will only continue to grow. The combination of cutting-edge technology, environmental awareness, gender inclusivity and celebrity appeal makes E1 a unique sporting property. For Africa, hosting an event of this scale represents both a celebration of culture and a gateway to new opportunities in green technology and youth empowerment.
For Drogba, the Lagos race is more than just another stop on the calendar; it is a statement of intent, a commitment to bringing Africa into the heart of a sport designed for the future. With the roar of electric engines set to echo across Lagos Lagoon, the former striker is once again proving his ability to put Africa on the world stage, this time not with goals, but with groundbreaking innovation and vision.
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