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Nigerian entrepreneurs, innovators, developers, engineers and researchers have just a few days left to apply for the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP) 2026, a Federal Government initiative designed to identify and develop innovative solutions for Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy.

Applications close on Friday, 13 November 2026.

The programme features 13 innovation tracks covering opportunities in maritime technology, shipping and logistics, port operations, marine biotechnology, fisheries, marine tourism, ocean data and other areas of the blue economy.

Unlike conventional business grant programmes, NIMASA-BEAP is designed to help promising ideas and startups progress through a national innovation pipeline involving a hackathon, mentorship, venture development and access to investors and industry partners.

Selected participants will have the opportunity to compete in the National Innovation Hackathon scheduled for 8–10 December 2026, with successful ventures progressing to a 12-week accelerator programme in 2027.

If you have an innovative idea or startup that can solve a problem in Nigeria’s maritime industry, this is an opportunity to consider.

Here is a practical guide to eligibility, the application requirements, documents to prepare and how to submit your application before the deadline.

What Is the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme?

The NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme is an initiative of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The programme aims to encourage innovation, entrepreneurship and investment across Nigeria’s maritime and ocean-based economy.

It seeks to identify promising Nigerian innovators and startups, help them develop practical solutions to industry challenges and connect them with potential investors, corporate partners and customers.

The programme is being implemented through several stages:

National call for innovators.
Application evaluation and due diligence.
National Innovation Hackathon.
A 12-week accelerator programme.
National Demo Day and engagement with investors and industry stakeholders.

The initiative is intended to go beyond a conventional competition by helping innovative ideas develop into commercially viable ventures.

Who Can Apply for NIMASA-BEAP 2026?

NIMASA has removed the earlier age restriction following public demand. Nigerians aged 18 and above can now apply, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or educational background.

The opportunity is open to:

Entrepreneurs and startup founders.
Software developers and technology innovators.
Engineers and technical professionals.
Researchers and academics.
Graduates and university students.
Artisans and other innovators with relevant solutions.
Individuals and teams developing solutions for maritime and blue economy challenges.

The official portal’s eligibility information identifies the following requirements:

The applicant should be a Nigerian-registered startup or a startup in the process of registration.
The startup should operate within the maritime or blue economy sector.
At least one founder or co-founder must be Nigerian.
The team should have at least two members.
The solution may be at the idea, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), early-revenue or growth stage.
Applicants must be willing to participate in the programme.

Important: CAC registration is not compulsory at the application stage. The portal accepts applications from individuals as well as registered companies, and a CAC certificate is listed as optional. However, the programme’s eligibility information requires a team of at least two members.

What Are the 13 NIMASA Innovation Tracks?

Applicants are expected to identify the innovation track that best matches their proposed solution.

The 13 tracks cover different segments of the maritime and blue economy.

1. Maritime Technology and Logistics

Innovations that improve maritime transportation, shipping operations, cargo movement, logistics management and efficiency across the maritime value chain.

2. Maritime Safety, Surveillance and Security

Solutions that improve vessel monitoring, maritime surveillance, security operations, incident detection and safety at sea.

3. Green Shipping and Vessel Decarbonisation

Technologies and innovations that reduce emissions, improve fuel efficiency and promote environmentally sustainable shipping.

4. Seafarer Welfare

Solutions addressing seafarer health, safety, welfare, training, working conditions and professional development.

5. Port Digitisation

Digital technologies that improve port operations, documentation, cargo handling, administration and operational efficiency.

6. Marine Waste Management

Innovations that address marine pollution, waste collection, recycling and sustainable waste management in coastal and maritime environments.

7. Aquaculture and Sustainable Fisheries

Solutions that improve fish farming, sustainable fish production, aquaculture management and fisheries productivity.

8. Coastal and Artisanal Fishing Value Chain

Innovations supporting small-scale fishing communities, fishing equipment, processing, preservation, distribution and market access.

9. Ocean Data and Analytics

Technologies that collect, process and analyse ocean and maritime data to support better decisions and operations.

10. Nature-Based Coastal Defence Solutions

Innovations that use natural ecosystems and environmentally sustainable approaches to protect coastal communities against erosion, flooding and other environmental threats.

11. Marine Tourism and Coastal Recreation

Solutions that promote marine tourism, coastal recreation, water-based leisure activities and related business opportunities.

12. Marine Biotechnology

Innovations that use marine organisms and biological resources for applications in healthcare, agriculture, food production, industry and environmental management.

13. Deep Seabed Mining Technologies and Research

Technologies and research solutions relating to deep-sea exploration, seabed resources and responsible marine resource management.

Applicants should select the track that most closely reflects the problem their solution addresses rather than simply choosing the most popular category.

What Documents Do You Need to Apply?

The NIMASA-BEAP portal provides an eight-stage application process. Applicants should prepare the following information and documents before starting.

1. Startup or project information

You will be asked to provide:

Startup or project name.
Founding date.
State of operation.
Applicant type.
CAC registration number, if registered.
Website or social media links, where available.

2. Founder and team information

Prepare details about the lead founder and other team members.

The portal requests information such as:

Founder names and roles.
Gender and age.
LinkedIn profiles.
Number of people in the team.
Details of up to four co-founders.

3. Blue economy subsector

Identify the primary and secondary subsectors relevant to your solution.

You will also need to indicate the current stage of your startup or project, such as:

New idea.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Early revenue.
Growth stage.

4. Business and solution description

You should be able to explain:

The problem your innovation addresses.
Your proposed solution.
The target market or beneficiaries.
How the product or service works.
Your existing customers and revenue, where applicable.

The portal allows applicants to provide a problem-and-solution statement of up to 300 words.

5. Innovation and impact statement

Explain what makes your solution different and how it can contribute to the maritime and blue economy.

You should also describe its potential environmental or social impact and its alignment with relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

6. Funding and financial information

Applicants will be asked about previous funding received, where applicable, and how they intend to use NIMASA-BEAP support.

The portal provides a maximum of 200 words for explaining the proposed use of programme support.

7. Supporting documents

The official application portal identifies the following document requirements:


Document	Format and size
Pitch deck	PDF, maximum 10MB
Founder identification	PDF, JPG or PNG, maximum 3MB
CAC certificate	PDF, maximum 5MB; optional

The pitch deck and founder identification are particularly important. Prepare them before beginning the application.

How to Apply for NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme 2026

Applications are submitted online through the official NIMASA-BEAP portal.

Official application portal: https://nbeap.nimasa.gov.ng/

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official NIMASA-BEAP website

Go to https://nbeap.nimasa.gov.ng/ and select the option to apply as a startup.

Step 2: Create an account

Step 3: Complete your startup profile

Enter your startup or project name, founding date, location, registration status and other relevant details.

You can apply as an individual or registered company, subject to the programme’s team and eligibility requirements.

Step 4: Add your founders and team members

Provide the details of your lead founder and other team members. The portal allows you to include up to four co-founders.

Step 5: Select your innovation track

Choose the blue economy subsector that best describes your solution.

Select the current development stage of your project, whether it is an idea, MVP, early-revenue venture or an established growing business.

Step 6: Explain your innovation

Describe the problem you are solving, your proposed solution, its uniqueness, target market and expected impact.

Be specific. Explain how your innovation can improve operations, address an industry challenge or create value within the maritime and blue economy.

Step 7: Upload your supporting documents

Upload your pitch deck and founder identification in the accepted formats.

You may also upload your CAC certificate if your business is registered.

Step 8: Review and submit

Check all the information you have provided, accept the required declarations and data-protection consent, and submit your application.

The portal indicates that applicants receive a confirmation after successful submission.

You can save your progress and return to complete the application before the deadline.

What Happens After You Apply?

The programme has a defined selection and implementation timeline.


Programme stage	Expected dates
Application deadline	13 November 2026
Evaluation and due diligence	16 November – 2 December 2026
National Innovation Hackathon	8–10 December 2026
12-week accelerator	January–April 2027
National Demo Day	Second quarter of 2027

Applicants should understand that submitting an application does not automatically guarantee selection for the hackathon or accelerator.

Successful participants will progress through the programme’s selection process and may receive opportunities for mentorship, venture development, industry exposure and engagement with investors and potential customers.

What Will Selected Innovators Gain?

The NIMASA-BEAP programme is designed to connect promising ventures with the resources and relationships needed to develop their solutions.

The expected benefits include:

Participation in the National Innovation Hackathon.
Access to structured mentorship.
Technical and business-development support.
Exposure to maritime industry stakeholders.
Opportunities to connect with investors and corporate partners.
Participation in the 12-week accelerator programme for selected ventures.
Opportunities to showcase solutions at the National Demo Day.

Does the programme guarantee a cash grant?

The programme portal refers to funding opportunities, investor access and venture-development support. However, applicants should not assume that every participant will receive a fixed cash grant or that selection guarantees investment. No universal cash award amount is stated in the application information.

Tips for Submitting a Strong NIMASA-BEAP Application

With applications closing soon, innovators should focus on presenting clear, practical and credible solutions.

Here are some recommendations:

1. Identify a real maritime problem.

Your application should demonstrate that you understand a genuine challenge within the maritime or blue economy.

2. Explain your solution clearly.

Avoid unnecessary technical language. Describe what your solution does, how it works and who will benefit.

3. Demonstrate what makes your idea innovative.

Explain how your proposed solution improves on existing approaches or addresses a problem that is not being adequately solved.

4. Show evidence of feasibility.

If you already have a prototype, product, demonstration or early customers, include relevant evidence.

However, the programme also accepts early-stage ideas, so do not assume you need a fully developed product to apply.

5. Prepare a convincing pitch deck.

Your presentation should clearly communicate the problem, solution, market, business model, innovation, impact and development plan.

6. Explain how your venture can grow.

Show how your solution could be adopted by maritime operators, shipping companies, ports, fishing communities, coastal businesses or other relevant customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NIMASA-BEAP open to all Nigerians?

Yes. NIMASA removed the earlier age restriction. Nigerians aged 18 and above can apply, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion or educational background, provided they meet the programme’s other requirements.

Do I need to be a maritime expert to apply?

No. The programme welcomes innovators from different professional and educational backgrounds, provided their solutions address relevant maritime or blue economy challenges.

Can I apply with just an idea?

Yes. The official portal accepts startups at the new-idea stage, as well as those with an MVP, early revenue or an established growth-stage business.

Is CAC registration compulsory?

No. The CAC certificate is listed as optional, and the portal accepts applicants with startups that are registered or in the process of registration.

Can I apply as an individual?

The portal provides an individual applicant option. However, its eligibility information also specifies a minimum team size of two members. Applicants should ensure their team details satisfy this requirement.

Is there an application fee?

No. Applications are free. NIMASA has warned that applicants should not pay anyone to access the programme.

When is the application deadline?

Applications close on Friday, 13 November 2026.

When will the National Innovation Hackathon take place?

The hackathon is scheduled for 8–10 December 2026.

Does winning the hackathon guarantee funding?

No fixed cash prize is guaranteed to every applicant or participant. The programme offers a pathway to mentorship, accelerator support, funding opportunities and investor engagement, subject to selection and the programme’s terms.

Final Thoughts

Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy offers opportunities in shipping, logistics, fisheries, marine technology, tourism, environmental protection and several other sectors.

The NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme provides a platform for Nigerian innovators to develop solutions that can address challenges in these industries and potentially build commercially viable businesses.

With applications closing on 13 November 2026, interested entrepreneurs, developers, engineers, researchers and innovators should begin preparing their pitch decks and supporting documents immediately.

You do not need to be an established maritime company or have a fully developed product to apply. The programme accepts early-stage ideas, provided they meet the eligibility requirements and address a relevant blue economy challenge.

Application deadline: Friday, 13 November 2026.

Apply free through the official NIMASA-BEAP portal:

https://nbeap.nimasa.gov.ng/

Application guide: https://nbeap.nimasa.gov.ng/guide

This article is based on information published by NIMASA and its official programme portal. Applicants should review the current portal requirements before submitting their applications.

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