Photo credit: Will Smith and LeBron James
The celebrity interest comes after Nigerian investors launched Team PRONC, the country’s first E1 racing team. The franchise is set to compete in the UIM E1 World Championship during the 2027 season.
Team PRONC co-founder Richie Shittu said Smith expressed his desire to visit Nigeria during an E1 race weekend in Monaco.
According to Shittu, the actor told the team, “Bring me home, guys. I want to come home.”
The interest from Smith and James adds another layer of celebrity attention to E1’s growing African footprint.
Will Smith and LeBron James Want to Visit Lagos
Nigeria became the first African host of an E1 race when Lagos joined the championship calendar in 2025.
The Lagos race brought the all-electric powerboat series to the Lagos Lagoon and placed the city alongside major international destinations such as Monaco, Miami and Lake Como.
Now, Team PRONC is taking Nigeria’s involvement a step further by giving local investors ownership of an E1 franchise.
Cecil Hammond, another Team PRONC co-founder, said celebrity owners have already shown interest in visiting Lagos.
“Will Smith, LeBron James — they’re saying they’d love to come to our city,” Hammond said.
Smith’s connection to E1 is particularly significant because he owns Visit Angola Westbrook Racing, one of the championship’s teams.
Nigeria Launches Team PRONC
Team PRONC was founded by Nigerian entrepreneurs Cecil Hammond, Richie Shittu, Preye Berezi, Osahon Okunbo and Ndy Oruche.
The group brings experience across hospitality, entertainment, private clubs and cultural ventures. With Team PRONC, the investors are expanding into global sports ownership.
The team’s arrival also gives Nigeria a bigger role in E1 beyond hosting races.
Team PRONC plans to use the franchise to showcase Nigerian tourism, hospitality, music and fashion. The owners also want to create opportunities for African athletes and innovators.
As a result, the team could become a platform for promoting Nigerian culture to E1’s international audience.
E1 Targets a $500 Million Valuation
E1’s African expansion is also part of a larger financial strategy.
The championship has targeted a valuation of about €500 million by 2030. During its Lagos debut in 2025, E1 was reportedly seeking approximately €20 million in new investment to support its growth.
Team franchises have also required significant financial commitments, with reports estimating initial costs of about €2 million per team and annual operating expenses of roughly the same amount.
Meanwhile, E1 continues to attract high-profile owners from sports, entertainment and business.
James, Smith, Tom Brady, Didier Drogba, Rafael Nadal and DJ Steve Aoki are among the celebrities connected to teams in the championship.
Will Smith Expands E1’s African Connection
Smith has already played a role in E1’s expansion across Africa.
In March 2026, he travelled to Luanda with E1 founder and chairman Alejandro Agag and Angola’s tourism minister Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel to announce the E1 Luanda GP.
The race is scheduled for Sept. 12 and 13, making Angola the second African destination on the E1 calendar after Lagos.
Smith described the expansion as part of a larger movement for Africa.
“Africa has always embodied passion and relentless drive,” he said.
His involvement in the Angola race gives him an existing connection to the continent. A potential visit to Lagos could further strengthen his relationship with E1’s growing African network.
E1 Builds a Bigger African Footprint
The addition of Lagos, Luanda and Team PRONC signals E1’s growing ambitions in Africa.
The championship combines electric boat racing with marine technology, sustainability and destination promotion. Its teams are also required to field both male and female pilots.
For Nigeria, Team PRONC represents an opportunity to move from being an event host to becoming a direct participant in the business of global sports.
The team is expected to announce its celebrity partner, drivers and technical programme before making its E1 debut in 2027.
If Smith and James follow through on their interest in visiting Lagos, their presence could give Nigeria’s E1 project an even bigger international spotlight.
Source: Business Insider Africa
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