FIC Report (Katsina State) – The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in collaboration with the State Action On Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), hosted a pivotal town hall meeting in Katsina, as part of it’s 2025 nationwide tour across the 36 states and the federal capital territory.
The event took place at the conference hall of the state secretariat complex in Katsina on Thursday 3rd July 2025.
The event was divided into two sessions; the morning session covered the technical aspect, while the stakeholders engagement covered the final session.
The sessions brought together key stakeholders from both public and private sectors with the goal of deepening the implementation of the State Action On Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), and promoting inclusive growth through improved regulatory environments at the state level.
Governor Dikko Umar Radda, represented by the Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe, declared the sessions open and described the engagement as part of the state and federal government’s efforts to strengthen national economy by supporting businesses.
He highlighted some of the commitments of the state government towards actualising the ease of doing business in the state, which includes strengthening leadership around the ease of doing business, restructuring business framework and the creation of Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA) to lead and support start ups, small and medium Enterprises with the tools, resources and capacity needed to flourish and grow.
The Director General Of PEBEC, Princess Zahra Mustapha Audu, in a short clip, expressed that the states policies affect businesses, reiterating that partnership between the states and PEBEC would enable the government and stakeholders to adapt, enhance and strengthen the regulatory environment, particularly through the SABER programme.
Further remarks were delivered by the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Investment, Yusuf Rabiu Jirdede, and the Honourable Commissioner Of Finance, Bello Muhammad Kagara, both of whom applauded PEBEC’s efforts to enhance Nigeria’s economic competitiveness, particularly at the sub national level.
They also reaffirmed Katsina State’s commitment to the national agenda for a business friendly environment that fosters innovation, productivity and inclusive growth.
In his opening remarks, The Director General, Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency, (KIPA), Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi explained that the state government has embraced the SABER reform framework as a strategic instrument for the state’s transformation.
He further maintained that the state has persuaded an ambitious home grown reform agenda anchored on transparency, technology and private sector leadership.
Furthermore, presentations were delivered by Dr Bello Adewale, Team Lead and Senior Reform Leader, PEBEC Team, on the key features and components of DLI5 and DLI6; Mrs Rebecca Bolanle Ukpevo, Reform Leader and Coordinator of PEBEC Information Champions on DLI4; and Barrister Jafar Shuaibu, Reform Leader, PEBEC on DLI8 respectively.
The town hall meeting featured panel discussions where robust sessions were held on how to derive deeper engagement and collaboration towards improved business environment. The panelists included the representatives from the Ministry Of Commerce and Investment, Urban and Regional Planning Board (URPB), Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ministry Of Lands And Physical Planning, State Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Katsina State Enterprises Development Agency (KASEDA).
In his closing remarks, the DG KIPA, Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi appreciated the State Government, PEBEC officials, the Panelists as well as the participants for the fruitful engagements. He also urged the participants to fully utilise the knowledge gained on the ease of doing business inorder to boost their businesses.
Signed
Amina Bello Kofar Bai
SIPRO
FIC Katsina
