The Nigerian Institution of Marine Engineers and Naval Architects (NIMENA) has announced a partnership with Plug and Play, with the aim of transforming the maritime sector in Nigeria into a globally competitive hub for innovation.
The partnership will establish a platform for maritime and energy innovation, focusing on engineering technologies in shipping, logistics, and supply chain sectors. A central part of the initiative is a startup pipeline between Nigeria and Singapore, where technologies will be validated in Singapore before being scaled in the Nigerian market.
Selected startups will receive mentorship from industry leaders, access to global markets, and opportunities for pilot projects. This model is designed to minimise adoption risks and encourage technology transfer into the local maritime and energy industries.
“This partnership marks a transformative step for Nigeria’s energy and maritime innovation ecosystem,” said Dr Eferebo Sylvanus, National Chairman, NIMENA.
“By aligning with global standards and connecting our local talent to international platforms, we are creating new opportunities for Nigerian innovators to scale their solutions beyond borders while strengthening our national capabilities.”
To support the initiative, Plug and Play conducted an assessment of capital access, talent pipelines, and regulatory frameworks. The partnership will help direct capital toward scalable ventures while providing exposure to major corporations and investors.
“Engineering-driven innovation is critical to solving some of the world’s most complex challenges – from sustainable shipping to the decarbonisation of marine operations,” said Jupe Tan, Managing Partner, APAC, Plug and Play.
“By partnering with NIMENA, we are creating a trusted bridge between global innovation ecosystems and Nigeria’s maritime and energy sector, unlocking pathways for international collaboration and long-term competitiveness.”
