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Nigeria is stepping up efforts to attract Danish capital, technology and expertise into its marine and blue economy as the Federal Government seeks to convert the sector’s investment potential into bankable projects and sustainable economic opportunities.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, made the pitch in Copenhagen during a bilateral meeting with Denmark’s Minister for Business and Competitiveness, Martin Lidegaard.
The engagement formed part of the official Nigerian ministerial delegation to Denmark, with discussions covering maritime investment, infrastructure, technology, green transition, port efficiency, skills development and sustainable economic growth.
Oyetola said Nigeria had moved beyond establishing the institutional framework for the Marine and Blue Economy and was now focused on project development, investment mobilisation, improved performance and capacity building.
“Nigeria is looking for partnerships that can improve sector performance, attract investment, deploy technology, strengthen skills and safety, advance sustainability and create quality jobs,” he said.
He identified opportunities across ports and logistics, shipbuilding and repair, maritime services, digital technology, fisheries, green shipping, renewable energy, marine infrastructure, financing and multimodal connectivity.
According to the minister, Nigeria’s extensive coastline, inland waterways, large consumer market and strategic position in West and Central Africa offer significant commercial opportunities across the maritime value chain.
He noted that the presence of Danish-origin companies already operating in Nigeria’s maritime sector demonstrated the viability of the market and provided a foundation for deeper commercial relations.
“The presence of some Danish companies in Nigeria provides a strong foundation on which we can build. We want to deepen that relationship and create the conditions for more Danish businesses, investors and technology providers to participate in Nigeria’s maritime transformation,” Oyetola said.
The minister urged Danish investors to look beyond existing investments and explore emerging opportunities, stressing the need for strategic partners capable of bringing capital, technology, expertise and innovation into the sector.
He said the Nigeria-Denmark engagement was intended to move beyond diplomatic commitments towards identifying bankable projects and practical partnerships capable of delivering measurable economic outcomes.
Oyetola also highlighted Denmark’s global expertise in shipping, maritime services, logistics, green technologies and sustainable ocean industries, saying Nigerian market opportunities could complement Danish technology and expertise.
Responding, Lidegaard welcomed closer cooperation with Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy agenda, stressing the importance of practical partnerships involving businesses, government institutions, technology providers and knowledge institutions.
He said such collaboration would be essential to developing solutions that could be implemented, scaled and commercially sustained in both countries.
Members of the Nigerian delegation included Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs. Fatima Mahmood; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Professor Busayo Fakinlede; Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Director-General, Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, Dr. Pius Akutah; and Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, among others.
