NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Katsina partners PEBEC to accelerate business enabling reforms

Katsina partners PEBEC to accelerate business enabling reforms

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By Abbas Bamalli

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Katsina State Government have engaged business leaders to access and accelerate business enabling reforms in the state.

The business leaders and other stakeholders were engaged at the State Action on Business-enabling Reforms (SABER) Technical Session and Statewide Town-Hall Meeting in Katsina.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors was organised by PEBEC in collaboration with the state government.

Gov. Dikko Radda, in his remarks, said the event aimed at assessing the state’s performance on business, enabling reforms and strengthening alignment with national economic initiatives.

Radda, represented by his Deputy, Mr Faruk Lawal, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling bottlenecks and fostering a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state.

He added that the state had made significant progress in implementing actionable and revolving business reforms, which had helped to attract investors and promote economic growth and sustainability.

The Governor emphasised that the ease of doing business had become a top priority of the state government and would remain steadfast in achieving the desired goals.

Radda added that the state government had restructured its business framework and created the Katsina Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA).

According to him, the aim of creating the agency was to support nano, small and medium businesses with resources and tools to grow.

“My administration is creating an enabling environment for business, especially small and medium enterprises, to operate and succeed, and we know the role of the government in creating such an enabling environment for businesses.

“As a government, therefore, we first began our journey by strengthening leadership around the Ease of Doing Business agenda.

“We appointed the Deputy Governor to chair both the Ease of Doing Business and the MSMEs,” Radda said.

In her remarks, the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Audu, explained that the ongoing nationwide sub-national tour was aimed at strengthening state-level ownership of the reform initiatives.

She explained that the PEBEC works closely with state governments to improve the business environment and deepen the implementation of SABER for the sustainability of ease of doing business in the country.

Audu virtually told the  participants that PEBEC was a World Bank-funded project aimed at promoting economic growth and development in Nigeria.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Tukur-Jikamshi, said the meeting was a step towards deepening ease of doing business and economic reforms.

He said that Radda had embraced the SABER reforms framework not just as a compliance requirement, but as a strategic instrument for state transformation and economic inclusion.

He stated that the Radda-led government had waived all Right of Way (RoW) charges for fabric optic development and granted ‘interest-free loans’ to MSMES to simplify business support schemes in the state.

“We have exempted qualifying businesses from selected fees and levies to reduce start-up costs.

“We continued to prioritise transparency and public feedback, with all MDAs now publishing all timelines and costs,” he added.

Tukur-Jikamshi stressed that the government had taken proactive steps in mainstreaming reforms into the fabrics of the state by establishing a high-powered reforms implementation committee to deliver results across all reform sectors. (NAN)

Edited by Abdulfatai Beki/Bashir Rabe Mani

PEBEC to undertake nationwide ease of doing business sensitsation tour

PEBEC to undertake nationwide ease of doing business sensitsation tour

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By Joseph Edeh

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) says it will commence a nationwide sensitisation tour on June 23 to drive ease of doing business reforms in the country.

Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, the Director-General of PEBEC, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

She said that the tour would feature technical sessions and town halls, providing a platform for stakeholders to engage with government officials, share experiences and propose reforms to ease business operations.

“The goal is to create a more conducive business environment, attracting investment, and driving economic growth across Nigeria.

“The tour will provide an opportunity for businesses, investors, and the general public to interact with government officials, share concerns, and propose solutions to challenges hindering business growth,” she said.

According to her, PEBEC is driving impactful reforms to make business in Nigeria easier, more transparent, and less bureaucratic.

“From simplified processes to digital innovations, we’re creating an environment where businesses can start, grow, and thrive with ease,“ she said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is part of PEBEC’s efforts to enhance the ease of doing business at the subnational level.

It intends to achieve that by collaborating with state governments, the private sector and international partners.

PEBEC, established in July 2016 by the Federal Government to oversee Nigeria’s business environment intervention, is tasked with the dual mandate of dismantling bureaucratic and legislative constraints to doing business.

It is also mandated to deliver Nigeria’s business environment reforms. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

PEBEC boss restates readiness to work with MDAs

PEBEC boss restates readiness to work with MDAs

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MDAs

Abuja, April 17, 2025 (NAN) Ms Zahrah Audu, Director-General, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), has reiterated the council’s readiness to work with heads of government agencies to enhance service delivery.

Audu stated this in a communiqué at the end of a retreat for Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), on Thursday in Abuja.

She said that this was aimed at improving their level of service delivery to align with the council’s goal of creating a more enabling business environment.

The director-general also called for enhanced synergy among MDAs, to ensure the ease of doing business in the country.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume and Vice President Kashim Shettima commended Audu’s performance and commitment to service.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the country.

PEBEC, established in July 2016 by the federal government to oversee Nigeria’s business environment intervention, is tasked with the dual mandate of removing bureaucratic and legislative constraints to doing business.

It is also mandated to deliver Nigeria’s business environment reform with the dual mandate to remove bureaucratic and legislative constraints to doing business. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab

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