Oyetola woos Danish investors to invest in Nigeria’s marine, blue economy
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, has called on Danish investors and businesses to explore the growing opportunities in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, assuring them of attractive incentives and a business environment that 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, as Nigeria intensified efforts to attract Danish capital, technology and expertise into the country’s maritime sector.
The meeting formed part of the activities of the Nigerian Ministerial Delegation to Denmark on Maritime and the Blue Economy, led by Oyetola.
Discussions centred on investment opportunities, maritime infrastructure, technology, green transition, port efficiency, skills development and sustainable economic growth.
Oyetola said Nigeria had moved beyond putting the institutional framework for the Marine and Blue Economy in place and was now focusing on developing projects, attracting investments and improving the overall performance of the sector.
He said, “Nigeria is looking for partnerships that can improve sector performance, attract investment, deploy technology, strengthen skills and safety, advance sustainability and create quality jobs.”
According to the minister, Nigeria’s marine and blue economy offers investment opportunities in areas including ports and logistics, shipbuilding and repair, maritime services, digital technology, fisheries, green shipping, renewable energy, marine infrastructure, financing and multimodal connectivity.
He noted that Nigeria’s extensive coastline, inland waterways, large consumer market and strategic position in West and Central Africa placed the country in a strong position to benefit from investments across the maritime value chain.
Oyetola also pointed to the presence of Danish-origin companies already operating in Nigeria’s maritime space as evidence of the potential for deeper 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 urged Danish businesses to look beyond their existing investments and consider emerging opportunities in Nigeria, stressing that the country required partners willing to bring capital, technology, technical expertise and innovation into the sector.
He said the engagement between Nigeria and Denmark was intended to go beyond diplomatic discussions and produce practical partnerships and bankable projects capable of delivering measurable economic benefits.
Oyetola further highlighted Denmark’s global reputation in shipping, logistics, maritime services, green technologies and sustainable ocean industries, saying Danish expertise could complement Nigeria’s market size and maritime potential.
Responding, Lidegaard welcomed Nigeria’s renewed focus on the Marine and Blue Economy and emphasised the need for stronger cooperation between businesses, government agencies, technology providers and knowledge institutions.
He said practical partnerships would be important in developing solutions that could be implemented, expanded and sustained commercially in both countries.
The Nigerian delegation included the 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 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 other officials.