Oyetola Urges Danish Investors to Explore Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on Danish investors and businesses to explore investment opportunities in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, assuring them of attractive incentives and a business environment that increasingly encourages private-sector participation.

Oyetola made the call in Copenhagen, Denmark, during a bilateral meeting with Denmark’s Minister for Business and Competitiveness, Martin Lidegaard. The meeting formed part of Nigeria’s efforts to attract Danish investment, technology and expertise into the country’s maritime sector.

The discussions focused on key areas including maritime infrastructure, investment, technology, port efficiency, green transition, 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 concentrating on developing projects, mobilising investment, improving sector performance and strengthening human capacity.

“Nigeria is looking for partnerships that can improve sector performance, attract investment, deploy technology, strengthen skills and safety, advance sustainability and create quality jobs,” the minister said.

He identified several areas open to investment, including ports and logistics, shipbuilding and repair, maritime services, digital technology, fisheries, green shipping, renewable energy, marine infrastructure, financing and multimodal connectivity.

According to Oyetola, Nigeria’s long coastline, extensive inland waterways, large consumer market and strategic position in West and Central Africa make the country an attractive destination for investors seeking opportunities across the maritime value chain.

He also pointed to the existing presence of Danish companies in Nigeria’s maritime sector as evidence of the potential for stronger commercial relations between both countries.

“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,” he said.

The minister encouraged Danish businesses to look beyond their existing investments and consider emerging opportunities within Nigeria’s maritime value chain. He stressed that the country needed strategic partners capable of providing capital, technology, technical expertise and innovation.

Oyetola further explained that the Nigeria-Denmark engagement was intended to move beyond general diplomatic discussions towards identifying bankable projects and practical partnerships capable of producing measurable economic results.

For Denmark, which has recognised expertise in shipping, maritime services, logistics, green technologies and sustainable ocean industries, the minister said Nigeria offered an opportunity to combine Danish expertise with the size and commercial potential of Africa’s largest economy.

Lidegaard welcomed Nigeria’s efforts to develop its Marine and Blue Economy and emphasised the importance of practical partnerships involving businesses, government agencies, technology providers and knowledge institutions.

He noted that such partnerships would be important in developing solutions that could be implemented, expanded and sustained commercially in both countries.

The engagement comes as Nigeria seeks to make greater use of its marine resources and maritime infrastructure as drivers of economic growth. The Marine and Blue Economy sector covers a wide range of activities, from shipping and port operations to fisheries, marine technology, renewable energy and logistics.

For Nigeria, attracting foreign investment and technical expertise into the sector could support improvements in infrastructure, technology, safety and employment. Stronger maritime capacity could also improve the movement of goods and strengthen Nigeria’s connections with regional and international markets.

Denmark’s experience in shipping, logistics and green maritime technology makes the country a potential partner in Nigeria’s efforts to develop a more efficient and sustainable maritime sector.

The Nigerian delegation to Denmark included the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Fatima Mahmood; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Marine and Blue Economy, Professor Busayo Fakinlede; Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency, Dr. Pius Akutah; and Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, among others.

Oyetola’s meeting with Danish officials and businesses reflects Nigeria’s broader effort to attract investment, technology and expertise into its maritime sector. The focus on practical partnerships and bankable projects suggests that the government wants to turn the country’s marine resources and strategic location into tangible economic opportunities.

For Danish investors, Nigeria’s large market and extensive maritime potential offer opportunities across several areas of the blue economy, while Nigeria stands to benefit from increased investment, technological development, improved skills and stronger international partnerships.