From Muawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Katsina State Government, in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), on Thursday engaged business leaders and stakeholders to assess and accelerate business-enabling reforms across the state.
The engagement, held under the framework of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), featured a technical session and a statewide town hall meeting aimed at aligning state-level efforts with national economic reform strategies.
Speaking at the event, Governor Dikko Umar Radda, who was represented by his deputy, Faruk Lawal Jobe, said the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to remove bottlenecks and foster a more conducive environment for businesses, particularly small and medium-scale enterprises.
Radda noted that Katsina had recorded measurable progress in implementing revolving business reforms, which have enhanced investor confidence and promoted economic growth.
“Our administration has restructured the state’s business framework and established the Katsina Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA) to support small and medium enterprises with resources and tools to thrive,” he said.
He emphasised that the ease of doing business remains a top priority of his administration, stressing that government would remain committed to policies that enhance private sector participation and economic inclusion.
In her remarks, PEBEC Director-General, Zahrah Audu, said the nationwide sub-national tour was designed to deepen state-level ownership of reform initiatives and strengthen collaboration on business reforms.
Audu, who addressed the participants via a televised message, explained that PEBEC was a World Bank-backed initiative aimed at improving the business climate and accelerating Nigeria’s economic development.
She said the council works closely with state governments to entrench the SABER framework, ensuring sustainability of the reforms and broader economic impact.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi, described the meeting as a strategic move toward institutionalising economic reforms and enhancing the ease of doing business in the state.
He said, “The Radda-led government has embraced the SABER framework not merely as a compliance mechanism, but as a strategic blueprint for economic transformation.”
According to him, the state government has waived all Right of Way (RoW) charges for fibre optic development and introduced interest-free loans to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“Qualifying businesses have also been exempted from certain levies and fees to reduce start-up costs, while all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) now publish clear timelines and costs to enhance transparency,” Jikamshi added.
He further noted that a high-powered reforms implementation committee has been established to ensure cross-sectoral coordination and delivery of tangible results.
The town hall was attended by representatives from the private sector, civil society, and government agencies, who discussed strategies to foster a more investor-friendly business environment in Katsina
