About this opportunity
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency has opened the application portal for the NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme, a national programme for innovators and entrepreneurs working in the maritime sector and the wider blue economy. The national call for innovators opens 5 October and closes 13 November 2026, with selection completed in the first week of December.
The programme runs in two parts. A national innovation hackathon takes place from 8 to 10 December 2026 across 13 innovation tracks, and the strongest qualifying innovators move into the 12-week NIMASA-BEAP Accelerator, which begins in the first quarter of 2027 and runs to a national Demo Day investor showcase in the second quarter.
The accelerator provides structured venture development, mentorship, technical support, industry engagement and preparation for investment. The portal states that prizes include cash awards, accelerator placement, mentorship packages, cloud credits, co-working space and introductions to investors, and that the full prize structure will be published with the call for innovators.
There is no entry fee. NIMASA also states that taking part in the hackathon or the accelerator does not by itself create any equity obligation, and that investment depends on viability and readiness because the programme connects ventures to investors rather than guaranteeing funding.
Applications are made through the official NIMASA-BEAP portal, where applicants register as a startup, can save their progress and return to edit the application at any time before the submission
Application timeline
What you receive
- Cash awards, with the full prize structure to be published with the call for innovators
- Placement in the 12-week NIMASA-BEAP Accelerator beginning in Q1 2027
- Mentorship packages and structured venture development
- Cloud credits and co-working space
- Introduction to investors at the national Demo Day showcase in Q2 2027
- No entry fee, and participation creates no equity obligation by itself
Who can apply
- Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above
- Innovators and startups working in the maritime sector and the blue economy
- Nationwide participation is targeted across all six geo-political zones of Nigeria
- Applications are submitted through the NIMASA-BEAP portal as a startup
Documents to prepare
- A completed application on the NIMASA-BEAP portal, which can be saved and returned to before the deadline
How to apply
- Register on the NIMASA-BEAP portal as a startup
- Choose one of the 13 hackathon innovation tracks and complete the application for the national call for innovators
- Submit before 13 November 2026, with all supporting documents uploaded by the deadline
- Track the review status on the portal application status page
- Selected innovators join the hackathon from 8 to 10 December 2026, and the strongest progress to the 12-week accelerator in Q1 2027
Selection process
- Applications close on 13 November 2026 and enter review on the portal
- Selection is completed in the first week of December 2026
- The national hackathon runs 8 to 10 December 2026
- The 12-week accelerator begins in Q1 2027 and ends at a national Demo Day in Q2 2027
Sources and verification
Questions applicants ask
Who can apply for NIMASA-BEAP?
Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above. The programme targets participation from all six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
When does the call open and close?
The national call for innovators opens 5 October and closes 13 November 2026, with selection completed in the first week of December.
Is there an entry fee?
No entry fee is required.
How much funding is on offer?
Prizes include cash awards, accelerator placement, mentorship packages, cloud credits, co-working space and introductions to investors. The portal states that the full prize structure will be published with the call for innovators.
Does NIMASA take equity?
The portal states that participation in the hackathon or the accelerator does not itself create any equity obligation, and that any arrangement after Demo Day would be separately negotiated.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
