LeBron the star as Angola aims to cash in on E1 racing

What the report says

BBC Africa reports that Angola is using the debut of the E1 World Championship in Luanda to try to raise its profile as a tourism and investment destination. The electric powerboat series arrived in the Angolan capital over the weekend, marking its first event in southern Africa and drawing unusual attention in a country where football and basketball dominate. NBA star LeBron James, who owns an E1 team, was among the prominent visitors, alongside other celebrity-linked figures connected to the series.

The article says Angolan officials see the race as part of a broader effort to convert international attention into longer-term gains. Tourism minister Marcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel described foreign awareness as an early step toward encouraging visits, spending, private investment and jobs. Local observers and fans told BBC Sport Africa that the event could help project Luanda to a wider audience, and some hoped it might even inspire future Angolan participation in the sport.

E1 chief executive Jamie Copas said the involvement of well-known owners helps attract followers to a niche motorsport, while also advancing the championship’s sustainability message. The series also highlighted marine conservation work in Angola, including mangrove restoration. At the same time, BBC notes that E1’s own carbon emissions have risen as the circuit has expanded, underscoring the tension between its green branding and the logistics of global travel.

On the water, Team Brady won the Luanda race after Will Smith’s Westbrook Racing team was hit by mechanical trouble. BBC says E1 is scheduled to return to Luanda in 2027 and 2028, suggesting Angola hopes this is the start of a longer promotional effort.