Blue Economy Investment Summit Scheduled for March 2026

Maritime Innovation Hub, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, will host the Blue Economy Investment Summit from 9 to 11 March 2026 in Lagos.

Princess Ronke Kosoko, CEO of the Maritime Innovation Hub, announced the summit during a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, providing details of the event. She stated that President Bola Tinubu will officially open the summit.

Kosoko explained that the summit aims to attract investment and drive reforms across Nigeria’s maritime and coastal sectors. “With over 850 km of coastline and an exclusive economic zone exceeding 200 nautical miles, Nigeria holds significant untapped potential in the Blue Economy, spanning maritime transport, fisheries, aquaculture, shipbuilding, offshore energy, tourism, and marine biotechnology. Globally, the Blue Economy is expected to surpass $3tn by 2030. Nigeria’s strategic position as West Africa’s maritime hub provides opportunities for substantial socio-economic gains, but unlocking this potential requires coordinated efforts, investment promotion, stronger institutional frameworks, and reforms to address inefficiencies in port operations that raise logistics costs and hinder competitiveness,” she said.

Kosoko noted that the sector currently contributes less than three per cent to Nigeria’s GDP and stressed the need for better data collection and coordination to accurately assess and grow its impact. “The sector’s GDP contribution remains below three per cent, far from its potential to support diversification, job creation, and industrialisation. Reliable data is essential for tracking progress and informing policy,” she said.

Invitations have been extended to all 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to ensure alignment of state-level marine initiatives with federal policies.

Other invited participants include the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEXIM Bank, the World Bank, African Development Bank, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, and representatives from the Canadian and United States embassies. The summit will be formally opened by President Bola Tinubu.