FIC Report (Ebonyi State) – The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in alliance with the Ebonyi State Government, State Action on Business Enabling Reforms held a One-Day Nationwide Technical Workshop on Business-Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness at the Women Development Centre (WDC), on the 16th day of July, 2026.
The Townhall Meeting on Stakeholders Engagement is part of PEBEC’S Nationwide Tour aimed at strengthening the Ease of Doing Business Reforms (EODBR) at the Sub-national level and fostering collaboration between the Government and the Private Sector.
The Event brought together representatives of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the EB-SABER State Team, Reform Champions, Desk Officers, Regulatory Agencies, Development Partners, Private Sector Operators, Investors, Entrepreneurs, Heads of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other key Stakeholders to review the implementation of ongoing Reforms under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (EB-SABER) Programme.
Segmented into Two Sessions, the Morning Session centred on Technical Issues, while the Private Sector Stakeholders Engagement formed the Afternoon Session part.
Declaring the Morning Session open virtually, The Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zarah Mustapha Audu conveyed the Goodwill message of the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who chairs the Council. She commended the Ebonyi State Government for its exceptional proactiveness and political will in driving Sub-national Economic Reforms.
Princess Zahra noted that PEBEC’S presence in the State was aimed at providing critical technical support, monitoring Ease of Doing Business Indices, and collaborating with local stakeholders to ensure that Ebonyi’s entrepreneurial Ecosystem is globally competitive. She emphasised that the future of Nigeria’s economic transformation will be shaped not only at the Federal levels, but within States, Cities, Industrial Clusters, Farms, Innovation Hubs and Local Governments, because successful economies are built on the strength of their regions.
The Technical Session focused on assessing progress across key reform areas, addressing implementation challenges, sharing technical guidance, and strengthening inter-agency collaboration to ensure the successful delivery of the programme’s reform objectives.
The PEBEC South-East team led by Mr. Gabriel Ohiemi, alongside Reform leaders Mr, Ifeanyi Icheke and Mr. Charles Nwaji took turns in delivering their presentations on:
• Strengthening Regulatory Governance through Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA).
• Understanding the Investment Life cycle and Improving Investor Experience.
• One Government Approach – One Stop Shops and Integrated Service Delivery.
• Harmonisation of Levies, Fees and Regulatory Charges.
• Access to Justice and Commercial Dispute Resolution – Smal Claims Court and Multidoor Court House Systems.
• Sustainability and Transition in Government Reforms.
• Metrics and Parameters for Sub-national Ease of doing business Rankings.
• Introduction to the PEBEC portal and Digital Reform Tools.
The Afternoon Session of the PEBEC Nationwide Sub-national Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop 2026 featured a Statewide Townhall Meeting that brought together Government Officials, Representatives of PEBEC, Business Associations, MSMEs, Manufacturers, Farmers, Artisans, Civil Society Organisations, and other Key Private Sectors Stakeholders to discuss Reforms aimed at improving the business environment in Ebonyi State.
His Excellency, Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, ably represented by the Deputy-Governor, Princess Patricia Obila stated that his administration is systematically eliminating institutional bottlenecks, regulatory redtape, and double taxation to make Ebonyi State the safest and most profitable destination for investments in Nigeria. He noted that the core philosophy of his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs blueprint recognises Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as the ultimate lifeblood of the economy.
The Private Sector Stakeholders Engagement session provided an interactive platform for participants to share practical experiences, identify challenges affecting Businesses, and make recommendations that will strengthen the implementation of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (EB-SABER) Programme. It had in attendance Ebonyi Chamber of Commerce, the Abakaliki Rice Mill Industry, Mining Unions, Quarry Owners, Market Women Associations, Transport Workers and Civil Society Organisations.
During the panel discussion, the State Focal Person, Ease of Doing Business Council, Dr. Stephen Odo, engaged directly with the business community, taking feedbacks on challenges and outlining ongoing interventions to safeguard private investments, expand access to Markets and provide infrastructure tailored to Industrial needs.
The Engagement reaffirmed the commitment of the Ebonyi State Government, PEBEC, and the Private Sector to fostering a more transparent, efficient and investor-friendly business environment that supports enterprise growth and sustainable economic development in Ebonyi State.
In attendance for the Afternoon Session were the Deputy-Governor of Ebonyi State, Deputy Speaker, Ebonyi House of Assembly, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Commissioners, and other members of the State Executive Council alongside PEBEC delegates from the Presidency.
AJA NKEMJIKA
PEBEC Information Officer,
Ebonyi State.
16/07/2026
