Blue Economy Will Drive Nigeria’s $1trn Economy By 2030 – NPERA

The director-general of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA), Dr Pius Akutah, has said Nigeria’s marine and blue economy has the potential to make a significant contribution to the federal government’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.

Akutah stated this in London while speaking at the Nigeria Conversation on Trade and Investment London 2026, organised by the Royal Commonwealth Society, Nigerian Branch, on the theme, “Towards Sustainable Economic and Industrial Development in Nigeria – Prospects and Opportunities.”

He also highlighted the enormous investment opportunities available in Nigeria’s marine and blue economy, noting that the sector could become a major catalyst for economic diversification, investment, trade and sustainable development.

According to him, the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the ongoing renewal of Nigeria’s port infrastructure demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to diversifying the economy beyond oil and gas.

Akutah identified the ports sector, inland waterways, fisheries, shipbuilding and repairs, renewable energy and other maritime activities as critical areas capable of attracting investments and driving economic growth.

He particularly stressed the need to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s inland waterways, noting that only about 3,000 kilometres of the country’s estimated 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways are currently navigable.

He said, “Dredging the River Niger and developing navigable channels could open up significant investment opportunities while reducing the cost of logistics and facilitating the movement of goods into the hinterland.”

The NPERA boss further emphasised the need to align Nigeria’s trade objectives with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and improve logistics infrastructure to enable the country to maximise the benefits of regional trade.

He noted that Nigeria maintains a very strong market structure, which he said gives the country an advantage in attracting investors.

Akutah also pointed out that most of the major seaports in Africa are located in Nigeria, although many of them are old, adding that the Federal Government is making efforts to modernise the facilities.

He said the ongoing renewal of port infrastructure, alongside investments across the broader maritime sector, would strengthen Nigeria’s position as a regional trade and investment hub.

The NPERA DG’s comments came as he was honoured with a Sustainability Award for Investment and Economic Development in London.

The award was presented to him at the Nigeria Conversation on Trade and Investment London 2026 in recognition of his contributions to investment promotion and economic development in Nigeria.