The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), has announced an initiative called the Subnational Tour, which aims to enhance the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) reforms at the state level. Scheduled to begin on November 12 in Katsina State, the tour will involve collaborative efforts among government bodies, the private sector, and international partners. As outlined by the Project Manager of the PEBEC Secretariat, Aimeya Okpebholo, the initiative will take place from November 12 to 14 and will consist of town halls, technical workshops, private sector engagement meetings, and a marketplace for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This tour is a critical component of PEBEC’s broader mission to improve the overall business climate in Nigeria and foster greater trust and transparency between businesses and their regulators.
The engagement activities during the tour are particularly designed to create a more conducive environment for business growth by deepening reforms at the state level. Okpebholo underscored the necessity of these engagements for both regulatory bodies and the business community. The Subnational Tour focuses on strategic interactions between state governments, the private sector, regulatory agencies, international partners, and businesses, in order to address bureaucratic challenges and improve service delivery. The tour’s inaugural event in Katsina will serve as a collective platform where stakeholders from six states in Nigeria’s North-West region, specifically Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara, can converge to foster dialogue and collaboration.
The North-West edition of the PEBEC Subnational Tour intends to create direct channels of communication among various stakeholders, promoting a seamless exchange of ideas and information. With Katsina selected as the host state, the initiative will provide an opportunity for engagement between government representatives, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs. Such interactions are expected to generate actionable insights that can help mitigate bureaucratic obstacles and enhance the efficacy and transparency of business operations across the region. The workshops and sessions hosted during the tour will be instrumental in addressing local-specific issues faced by businesses, thereby leading to improved service delivery and better policy frameworks.
Okpebholo emphasized the significance of this initiative as it creates a unique opportunity for MSMEs and larger companies to have direct dialogues with key government officials and regulators. By facilitating these conversations, the PEBEC Subnational Tour aims to empower businesses, allowing them to express their concerns regarding regulatory processes and institutional inefficiencies. This engagement is vital for building a robust relationship between the private sector and government, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to economic growth. Furthermore, the tour aims to encourage innovation and enhance the capabilities of MSMEs, which play a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy.
The PEBEC Subnational Tour represents a practical extension of PEBEC’s overarching mandate, which was established in 2016 to facilitate federal government interventions aimed at improving the business environment in Nigeria. Since its inception, PEBEC has introduced over 190 reforms that target bureaucratic inefficiencies and enhance the country’s business climate. The council’s ongoing efforts reflect a commitment to not only streamline regulatory processes but also reshape perceptions surrounding doing business in Nigeria. The impactful reforms implemented thus far demonstrate a proactive approach by the federal government towards increasing Nigeria’s competitiveness and attractiveness as a destination for investment.
In conclusion, the PEBEC Subnational Tour signifies a noteworthy step towards addressing the challenges currently faced by entrepreneurs and businesses in Nigeria. By fostering direct engagements between the government and the private sector, the initiative aims to facilitate an environment where businesses can thrive and succeed. With the involvement of stakeholders from multiple sectors and regions, the tour is set to play a critical role in reinforcing the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful reforms. As Nigeria continues to navigate its economic landscape, initiatives like the PEBEC Subnational Tour are essential to paving the way for a more favorable business environment that benefits all stakeholders involved.
