In a strategic move aimed at improving Nigeria’s business climate from the ground up, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has partnered with the Abia State Government to enhance the ease of doing business within the state. The collaboration was formalized through a high-level technical session held on Thursday in Umuahia, the state capital, bringing together government officials, private sector stakeholders, and development partners.
The session served as a platform for open dialogue, enabling business owners and investors to speak directly to policymakers about the real-world challenges they face in navigating bureaucratic processes, accessing permits, and scaling operations in the state. It is part of a broader effort to localize the national ease of doing business reforms and ensure they are effectively implemented at the state level.
Zahrah Audu, Director General of PEBEC, emphasized the Council’s commitment to grassroots engagement as a means to drive inclusive economic growth.
“We want to empower local businesses by truly listening to their needs and removing the barriers they face. Our goal is to ensure a seamless interaction between business owners and government processes,” she said. “This is not about imposing reforms from the top. It’s about co-creating solutions that work in the local context.”
The session featured practical workshops and data-driven discussions, with a focus on key indicators such as starting a business, obtaining construction permits, registering property, paying taxes, and enforcing contracts—areas where small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often encounter systemic hurdles.
Also present at the session were Gabriel Oyemi, Reform Leader with SABER (State Action on Business Enabling Reforms)—a World Bank-supported initiative—and Jennifer Uko-Obasi, Senior Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Ease of Doing Business. Both underscored the importance of strong collaboration between federal reform agencies and state governments to drive meaningful and lasting change.
“What makes this initiative different is the alignment across all levels of government,” said Uko-Obasi. “We are not working in silos. We are committed to ensuring that reforms are not just well-designed, but also well-implemented and sustainable.”
The partnership aims to strengthen institutional frameworks, build capacity within state ministries and agencies, and digitize government services to reduce delays and corruption. For businesses, this could translate into faster approvals, fewer regulatory bottlenecks, and a more predictable operating environment.
The engagement in Abia State is part of PEEBEC’s broader mandate under the National Action Plan (NAP), which focuses on removing critical bottlenecks and regulatory constraints to doing business in Nigeria. With states playing a pivotal role in delivering services to businesses, PEBEC’s state-level interventions are seen as a critical lever for nationwide reform.
For Abia, a state known for its entrepreneurial energy, especially in sectors like manufacturing, leatherworks, and commerce,this collaboration could unlock new levels of productivity and attract much-needed investments.
Business leaders who attended the session expressed optimism about the direction of the reforms, with many calling it a timely and necessary step toward a more responsive governance framework.
As Nigeria continues its quest to become a top investment destination in Africa, partnerships like this between PEBEC and state governments underscore the importance of synergy, accountability, and a shared vision for progress.
Norah Okafor
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