FIC Report (Abia State) – In a landmark move to deepen economic reforms across Nigeria, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has entered into a strategic partnership with the Abia State Government to enhance the ease of doing business and support entrepreneurial growth in the state.
The collaboration was formalized during a high-level technical session held in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
The session brought together federal and state government officials, private sector stakeholders, and development partners, in a unified bid to tackle bureaucratic challenges and streamline business processes.
The event forms part of a broader national agenda to decentralize reforms and localize the National Action Plan (NAP),a core element of PEBEC’s mandate to remove regulatory bottlenecks and create a more enabling business environment across the country emphasizing federal-state synergy and the impact on business.
Zahrah Audu, Director General of PEBEC, emphasized that the council is focusing on grassroots engagement to drive inclusive economic growth.
“We want to empower local businesses by truly listening to their needs and removing the barriers they face. This is about co-creating solutions that work for the people and within their local realities,” she said.
The session featured practical workshops and data-driven discussions centered on key reform areas: starting a business, obtaining construction permits, registering property, paying taxes, and enforcing contracts—all areas where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often face persistent obstacles.
Key figures at the event included Gabriel Oyemi, Reform Leader with State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER)—a World Bank-supported program—and Jennifer Uko-Obasi, Senior Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Ease of Doing Business. Both reaffirmed the importance of cross-government collaboration.
“What makes this initiative impactful is the alignment across all levels of government. We are not working in silos,” said Uko-Obasi. “Our commitment is to implementation—reforms that are not only smart on paper but deliver measurable impact.”
The initiative also aims to build institutional capacity, digitize government services, and promote transparency—all geared towards reducing delays, eliminating corruption, and increasing investor confidence.
Abia State, long celebrated for its vibrant entrepreneurial sector, particularly in manufacturing, trade, leatherworks, and fashion is expected to benefit immensely from the collaboration. For local businesses, the reform promises faster approvals, reduced regulatory burdens, and a more predictable operating environment.
Business owners present at the event welcomed the partnership, describing it as a timely intervention that could transform Abia into a hub of investment and innovation.
As Nigeria positions itself to attract more foreign and domestic investment, the partnership between PEBEC and Abia State stands as a strong example of the synergy required between federal leadership and subnational governments to drive sustainable, inclusive economic development.
Signed
Abiakam Gloria Ify
HOC, FIC Umuahia Abia State
16-07-2025
