E1’s Electric Boats Raise Hopes for an African Blue Economy Boost — But Can They Deliver?
Didier Drogba’s first E1 victory gives the electric boat championship greater visibility as it seeks to promote cleaner marine technologies and ocean protection Africa’s large but underdeveloped blue economy makes the series relevant, particularly for coastal tourism, maritime innovation and investment promotion E1 can enhance the profile of host cities,. . .
Didier Drogba’s first E1 victory gives the electric boat championship greater visibility as it seeks to promote cleaner marine technologies and ocean protectionAfrica’s large but underdeveloped blue economy makes the series relevant, particularly for coastal tourism, maritime innovation and investment promotionE1 can enhance the profile of host cities, but its long-term value will depend on whether it helps attract concrete investment in ports, skills, research and coastal protectionLast Saturday, Didier Drogba added a new title to an already distinguished career. Team Drogba Global Africa, the racing team he co-owns with investment fund Lilium Capital, secured its first victory in the UIM E1 World Championship in Monaco. It is the world’s first international championship for fully electric racing boats. Beyond the sporting spectacle, however, E1 promoters are pursuing a broader vision. They present the championship as a driver of innovation in electric boating, a tool for raising awareness about ocean protection and a means of boosting the appeal of host cities. The question is whether that ambition can generate lasting economic benefits, particularly in Africa, where the maritime economy still requires substantial investment. A Competition Designed as a Testing Ground for InnovationThe first official race was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2024. The championship was launched by Alejandro Agag, who also co-founded Formula E, with the aim of replicating on water what the electric car series achieved in the automotive industry: turning an electric competition into a testing ground for innovation and a showcase for sustainable mobility. The series also draws visibility from its roster of high-profile team owners. Alongside Didier Drogba, some of the championship’s best-known figures include LeBron James, Rafael Nadal, Will Smith, DJ Steve Aoki and singer Marc Anthony. On the technology front, organizers say the series is intended to advance electric propulsion, support improvements in battery technology, reduce noise pollution from boats and promote the restoration of marine ecosystems. Each Grand Prix is accompanied by environmental initiatives under Blue Impact, E1’s sustainability program focused on marine biodiversity and water quality. “We hope to accelerate change in the marine industry and provide sustainable solutions for the next generation of recreational boats,” Alejandro Agag said in 2021 during the presentation of the RaceBirds, electric vessels capable of reaching nearly 90 kilometers per hour. An Initiative That Resonates With Africa’s ChallengesThose ambitions are especially relevant to Africa, which has nearly 47,000 kilometers of coastline but has yet to realize much of its maritime potential. According to the World Bank, Africa’s blue economy already generates nearly $300 billion a year. Fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, coastal tourism, marine renewable energy, biotechnology and port logistics could support as many as 57 million jobs by 2030. The stakes are especially high because about 90% of West Africa’s foreign trade moves by sea. Ports, coastlines and lagoons are central to trade and the food security of millions of people. At the same time, coastal and marine ecosystems face mounting pressures, including plastic pollution, overexploitation of fish stocks, coastal erosion, rapid urbanization and sea-level rise linked to climate change. The challenge is to develop these areas without undermining their ecological balance. E1 is seeking to position itself at the intersection of economic development and ocean protection, using sport to raise awareness and communicate messages about the blue economy. The African Export Development Fund (FEDA), the investment arm of Afreximbank, acquired a stake in Team Drogba Global Africa in September 2024. The deal reflects FEDA’s view that sport can support tourism, attract investment and stimulate growth in the creative industries. Beyond the Spectacle, the Economic Impact Remains UnclearAfrican cities see the competition as an opportunity to raise their international profiles. Lagos hosted the first African leg of E1 in 2025, while Luanda is due to host the series’ next African round in September 2026. Didier Drogba hopes Abidjan will follow. “Hosting the race requires meeting a number of technical requirements, but I think we have everything we need here [in Abidjan] to stage it,” the former Chelsea striker said in comments reported by BBC Afrique. Still, while E1 can raise a destination’s profile, attract visitors, promote clean and innovative technologies and draw attention to marine and coastal challenges, its ability to deliver lasting change in maritime economies remains unproven. Building a genuine blue economy depends primarily on large-scale, long-term investment in port infrastructure, logistics chains, marine renewable energy, sustainable fisheries, skills development and coastal protection. Without such investment, the E1 Series risks remaining mainly a communications tool that enhances the image and tourism appeal of host cities. The championship may also face scrutiny over its ties to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, or PIF. Its co-founder, Alejandro Agag, also created Formula E and Extreme E. The three competitions are part of Electric 360, a partnership launched in 2024 by the PIF. The initiative is intended to expand electric motorsport and promote sustainable mobility. The PIF, however, regularly faces accusations of sportswashing, or using sport to improve Saudi Arabia’s international image, as well as greenwashing. Critics argue that its messaging on the green transition sits uneasily with the continued importance of hydrocarbons to the Saudi economy. Ultimately, the real measure of the new discipline’s impact will not be the presence of RaceBirds on African waterways, but the investment they may help generate in ports, research, skills and ecosystem protection. Stéphane Alidjinou