The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has opened applications for its Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP), targeting young Nigerians aged 18 to 28 with innovative ideas for the maritime and blue economy.

Applications opened on October 5, 2026, and will close on November 13, 2026.

The programme is designed to identify promising ideas, strengthen innovative enterprises and help young Nigerians develop solutions to real maritime challenges into viable ventures.

Applicants do not need to have established companies. NIMASA-BEAP is intended to help promising ideas and innovative ventures move from the concept stage towards practical solutions and enterprise development.

Eligible ideas can cover a broad range of blue economy areas, including maritime technology and logistics; maritime safety, surveillance and security; green shipping and vessel decarbonisation; port digitisation and smart port solutions; and seafarer welfare and workforce technology.

Other eligible areas include marine waste management and the blue circular economy, aquaculture and sustainable fisheries, coastal and artisanal fishing value chains, ocean data and analytics, nature-based coastal defence solutions, marine tourism and coastal recreation, marine biotechnology, as well as deep seabed mining technologies and research.

The programme therefore extends beyond conventional maritime businesses. Technology solutions, environmental innovations, data platforms and business models that address challenges within the sector can also qualify.

Programme timeline

NIMASA-BEAP will operate as a multi-stage pipeline rather than a one-off event.

Applications will undergo independent evaluation and due diligence between November 16 and December 2, 2026.

Successful applicants will proceed to the National Innovation Hackathon scheduled for December 8–10, 2026.

Participants who advance from the hackathon will enter a 12-week Accelerator Programme in the first quarter of 2027, providing an opportunity to further develop their solutions and businesses.

The programme is expected to end with a National Demo Day in the second quarter of 2027. Participating ventures will have an opportunity to present their solutions to investors, industry stakeholders and potential partners.

Nigeria’s blue economy is increasingly regarded as an avenue for economic diversification, job creation and innovation. However, converting the country’s maritime resources into economic value requires technology, skills, infrastructure, investment and businesses capable of addressing challenges across the value chain.

For young innovators working on smarter ports, cleaner shipping, marine conservation, fisheries, ocean data or maritime logistics, the programme offers a structured pathway for developing their ideas while gaining exposure to the wider maritime ecosystem.

Interested applicants should submit their applications through the official NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme portal before the November 13, 2026 deadline.

Applicants are expected to ensure that their ideas clearly address a problem or opportunity within Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy and comply with the requirements outlined on the official application platform.

Key dates: Applications opened October 5, 2026; applications close November 13, 2026; evaluation and due diligence will run from November 16 to December 2, 2026; the National Innovation Hackathon will hold from December 8–10, 2026; the 12-week Accelerator Programme is scheduled for Q1 2027; and the National Demo Day is expected in Q2 2027.