MONACO, July 22, 2026 (XOL Africa) — Nigerian-founded Team PRONC will join the 2027 UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF, bringing Nigerian culture, hospitality and African influence to the global all-electric racing series, the team announced Wednesday.
The team was officially signed up during the E1 Monaco 2026 race at the Yacht Club de Monaco. Team PRONC was founded by Nigerian entrepreneurs and investors, including Rich Hospitality founders Cecil Hammond and Richie Shittu, alongside Preye Berezi, Osahon Okunbo and Ndy Oruche.
The team said its entry into E1 is intended to showcase Nigeria’s entrepreneurial spirit and growing cultural influence while creating a platform connecting sport, entertainment, innovation and African talent.
“This is bigger than motorsport,” Hammond, a co-founder of Team PRONC, said.
“It’s an opportunity to showcase African innovation, creativity and excellence on one of the world’s biggest sporting platforms while creating something future generations can be proud of.”
Shittu said the team was created to increase Africa’s representation in global sports.
“E1 gives us an incredible platform to combine technology, sustainability, business and culture while competing at the very highest level,” he said.
The E1 championship is the world’s first all-electric raceboat competition and brings together sport, technology and marine conservation. Races are held in major coastal destinations and other iconic locations, including Monaco, Lake Como, Lagos and Miami.
Each E1 team is required to have both male and female pilots, a format the championship says is designed to promote greater gender representation in international racing.
Team PRONC said its ambitions extend beyond racing, with plans to develop a broader sports and lifestyle brand and support opportunities for African businesses and emerging talent.
“PRONC demonstrates what collaboration can achieve,” Berezi said. “Each partner brings different strengths and perspectives, and together we’re building something that can compete internationally while opening new opportunities for African businesses and talent.”
Okunbo said the team aims to establish a sustainable organization with global ambitions.
“We want Team PRONC to become a respected sporting brand that creates commercial value while positively representing Nigeria and Africa around the world,” he said.
Oruche said sport could provide a platform for connecting people across borders.
“Team PRONC allows us to tell a positive African story through innovation, teamwork and excellence while contributing to one of the most exciting new championships in world sport,” he said.
Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of E1, welcomed Team PRONC’s entry, saying the team would help expand the championship’s reach in Africa.
“E1 was created to inspire a new era of clean racing on the water, and Team PRONC underlines that ambition,” Agag said. “Having Cecil Hammond and Richie Shittu joining the Championship next year connects our vision for global expansion and innovation with a wider base in Africa.”
The championship is sanctioned by the Union Internationale Motonautique, the international governing body for powerboat racing, and uses electric E1 RaceBird boats on technical circuits.
E1 teams are owned by prominent figures from sports and entertainment, including LeBron James, Will Smith, Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Virat Kohli and Didier Drogba.
Following confirmation of its entry, Team PRONC said it will begin preparations for its inaugural 2027 season. The team plans to announce its celebrity partner, pilots, technical program and RaceBird livery in the coming months.
