Proof that unlocks
transformation

Blue Economy Financial Inclusion Initiative — Pilot Program

A time-bound catalytic partnership that generates the operational, economic, and policy proof required to unlock a nationally transformative programme for 25–30 million women and youth across Nigeria’s 11 coastal states.

Theory of Change

From proof to national scale

BEFI 100 is deliberately designed as a catalytic vehicle—not a permanent parallel programme. Independent evaluation and transparent learning turn pilot activity into bankable models that government, DFIs, and industry can adopt.

1

Co-Design & Align

Partners define shared proof questions, geographies, and success metrics.

2

Deliver & Learn

Integrated pilots across five pathways generate real-time evidence.

3

Synthesise & Validate

Independent evaluation produces transferable models and cost curves.

4

Unlock National Scale

Government, DFIs & industry adopt proven pathways and mobilise ~$1.2 bn.

Programme Architecture

A two-part initiative

The 12–15 month proof-of-concept phase is intensive and time-bound. National rollout and capital mobilisation follow only after decision-grade evidence is in hand.

Part 1 · 12–15 months

Proof of Concept

Intensive multi-pathway pilots that generate decision-grade operational, economic, and policy evidence.

  • Integrated pilots in prioritised coastal states
  • Independent evaluation & unit economics
  • Real-time adaptive learning
  • Policy briefs & early national dialogue
  • Catalytic capital underwrites the proof
Part 2 · Thereafter

National Rollout & Scale

Adoption of validated models by government, DFIs, and industry—and mobilisation of remaining capital.

  • Evidence-based programme design
  • ~USD 1.2 billion remaining capital envelope
  • State and federal policy uptake
  • Preferred partners from proof phase
  • Systems-scale inclusion outcomes

Design

Now – Q4 2026

Foundation

Months 1–3

Delivery

Months 4–12

Synthesise

Months 12–15

National Unlock

Part 2

Design & Formalisation

Partner formalisation, design workshop, state prioritisation, baseline design, MoUs, and governance lock. Industry and foundation contribution packages finalised.

Geographic Focus

11 coastal states — depth over breadth

Click a state to see its role in the proof phase. Core littoral states are prioritised for pilot depth; extended coastal states remain part of the national ambition.

Nigeria — Coastal & Near-Coastal States Lagos Ogun Ondo Edo Delta Bayelsa Rivers Akwa Ibom Cross River Imo* Abia* * Near-coastal with strong marine / riverine linkages
Core littoral (priority) Extended coastal Selected
Select a state

Coastal & Near-Coastal Cluster

Click any state on the map to view its role in the BEFI 100 proof phase. Core littoral states are prioritised for pilot depth; extended states remain integral to the national ambition and Part 2 scale-up.

Impact Pathways

Five integrated pathways

Click a pathway to expand. Solutions that reinforce multiple pathways generate the strongest proof.

01

Skills & Enterprise

Demand-driven training, incubation, and coaching for women- and youth-led blue economy enterprises.

02

Access to Finance

Blended and tailored instruments—working capital, guarantees, first-loss—matched to blue MSME realities.

03

Market Linkages

Structured connections to processors, exporters, tourism operators, and digital marketplaces.

04

Technology & Innovation

Cold-chain, traceability, digital tools, and climate-smart production systems tested for affordability and usability.

05

Policy & Enabling Environment

Evidence for gender-responsive regulation, public investment, and coordination across ministries and states.

Indicative Proof-Phase Outcomes

What success looks like

Order-of-magnitude targets for the 12–15 month proof phase. Exact figures are set with founding partners.

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Women & youth participants
0
Validated models for scale
0
States with policy actions
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Scale capital unlocked (Part 2)
Partnership Pathways

Find your role

Select a partner type to see the contribution model and value exchange tailored to your organisation.

Founding Partner

Co-architect of the proof agenda with formal governance rights and multi-dimensional commitments across the 12–15 month phase.

  • Catalytic capital, technical assets, market access, and/or convening power
  • Seat on Founding Partner Council and influence on design & learning
  • First-mover positioning for the national programme that proof unlocks
  • Independently verified impact and cost data for institutional reporting

Industry & Technology Partner

Manufacturers, equipment suppliers, digital platforms, processors, and cold-chain operators who co-create bankable reference cases.

  • Deploy technology/equipment into pilot clusters with independent performance data
  • Pathways: Core Tech, Offtake, Innovation, In-Kind, or Blended Commercial
  • Preferred status for scale procurement discussions after proof
  • Sample MoU framework available under NDA

Public-Sector Ally

Federal ministries, state governments, regulators, and public research institutions—co-owners of evidence and the pathway for systems change.

  • Policy alignment, convening, state facilitation, and regulatory input
  • State Engagement Forums and optional state MoUs
  • Decision-grade evidence for budget, programme, and regulatory decisions
  • Primary route for national unlock of validated models

Corporate & Family Foundation

Catalytic grant partners who underwrite the learning, evaluation, and coordination that make larger public and commercial capital flow with higher inclusion quality.

  • Catalytic capital for pilots, independent evaluation, and learning systems
  • Gender expertise and convening power as distinctive contributions
  • High-leverage impact: proof that unlocks ~$1.2 bn scale capital
  • Transparent results—including mixed findings—as a condition of rigorous proof
Media & Learning

Video briefings & explainers

Placeholder slots for partner briefing videos, coastal value-chain explainers, and learning clips. Replace with hosted video URLs when assets are available.

BEFI 100 in 3 minutes

Overview of the two-part structure, pathways, and partner value proposition.

Why coastal inclusion matters

Context on Nigeria’s blue economy window and the case for gender- and youth-intentional design.

Partner pathways explained

How founding, industry, government, and foundation partners engage in the proof phase.

Contact to initiate

We welcome bilateral conversations with organisations that see strategic value in co-creating the evidence base for an inclusive Nigerian blue economy.

consult@wabaltd.com

www.wabaltd.com

Reliance House, 9 Alhaja Kofoworola Street
Off Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria
BEFI 100

Thank you for your partnership, vision, and time.