Nigeria’s growing involvement in the $500 million E1 electric powerboat racing championship is attracting interest from some of the world’s biggest celebrity team owners, with Will Smith and LeBron James expressing interest in visiting Lagos as the series expands its African presence. Nigeria is preparing to enter the championship with Team PRONC, giving local investors a direct stake in the global racing series, as reported by Business Insider Africa and Forbes Africa.
Smith, who owns the Angola Westbrook Racing team, reportedly expressed his desire to visit Nigeria during a recent E1 race weekend in Monaco. LeBron James is also an E1 team owner through Team AlUla, adding further star power to a championship that already counts celebrities and sports icons among its franchise owners.
Lagos has become an important destination for E1, hosting Africa’s first E1 Grand Prix in 2025 and returning to the calendar for October 3 to 4, 2026. The championship positions its races as a blend of electric motorsport, tourism, entertainment and sustainability, with Lagos expected to again showcase Nigeria to an international audience.
For Nigeria, the growing E1 presence represents more than a sporting event. Team PRONC plans to use its franchise to promote Nigerian tourism, music, fashion and hospitality, while the involvement of globally recognised figures such as Smith and James could increase international attention and investment in Lagos. E1 is targeting a €500 million valuation by 2030, making Nigeria’s growing participation potentially significant for the country’s sports and entertainment economy.
