FIC Report (Anambra State) – The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in conjunction with the Anambra State Enabling Business. Environment Council have successfully organized a one -day Subnational Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop at the International Convention Centre Awka.
The Workshop is part of PEBEC”s nationwide tour aimed at strengthening the Ease of Doing Business Reforms at the subnational level and fostering collaboration between the government and the private sector.
The Workshop brought together, the representatives of the Federal Government, Anambra State Government, Regulatory Agencies, Development Partners, Private Sector Operators, Investors, Entrepreneurs and other key stakeholders in the state. The Workshop was divided into two sessions, the Technical Team Reform Session and Private Sector Stakeholders Engagement Sector which formed the morning and afternoon session respectively.
The well orchestrated event commenced with the Introduction of the participants by the M.C followed by the National Anthem and the Anambra Anthem after which the Secretary to Anambra State Government, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake who represented the Governor of Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo presented her welcome address.
Speaking after her welcome address, Mrs Nnake stated that Anambra State has focused on the Ease of Doing Business since inception of PEBEC four years ago, adding that there have been lots of improvements as a result of PEBEC Reforms in the State. She therefore made it clear that Anambra State is committed to Ease of Doing Business and also committed to PEBEC.
“It is not just about the programme, but about making Anambra a destination in case of doing business” Nnake said.
The Director General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, during her presentation gave an overview of PEBEC Nationwide and Subnational Engagement Tour. According to her, the nationwide tour was designed to strengthen collaboration among Federal and State Governments, Private Sector and other Stakeholders in improving Nigeria’s business environment.
Princess Audu stated that the Initiative seeks to identify challenges confronting businesses across the country and facilitate Reforms that will make business operation easier and more efficient.
The PEBEC team led by Mr Gabriel Ohiemi applauded the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo for the phenomenal job he is doing in the State, adding that Anambra state is already flourishing considering the good roads and other infrastructures in the state.
They took turns to do their presentations, ranging from Strengthening Regulatory Governance, Through Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), Understanding the Investment Life cycle and Improving Investor Experience, One Government Approach – One Stop Shop and Integrated Service Delivery, Harmonization of Levies, Fees and Regulatory Charges, Access to Justice and Commercial Dispute Resolution- Small Claim Courts and Multi door Court House System, Sustainability and Transition in Government Reforms, Metrics and Parameters for Subnational Ease of Doing Businesses Rankings, to Introduction to the PEBEC Portal and Digital Reform Tools.
The PEBEC team lead, Mr Gabriel Ohiemi, stated that Anambra came 7th in Subnational Ease of Doing Business Ranking in 2021. Also in 2022, they came 7th which is a very good report, but in 2025 Anambra fall under the second tier. According to him, Anambra State was the best in the Eastern part of Nigeria in Ease of Doing Business ranking in 2021. He said also that they came to Anambra to look into the areas that needs improvement for better performance in the state.
During his presentation on Harmonization of Levies, Fees and Regulatory Charges, he emphasized on the need to harmonize data in the State to eliminate overlapping charges and levies in order to encourage the small business owners in the state. The Team Lead therefore enjoined Anambra State Government to establish av Consolidation and Harmonization Committee to avoid duplication of charges and levies in the state.
Mr Ifeanyi Icheke, a Reform Leader from PEBEC, during his presentation on Strengthening Regulatory Governance through Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), took time to narrate how the Regulatory Impact Analysis framework ensures that Government Policies are efficient, evidence – based and accountable, thereby protecting businesses from adverse Regulatory effects.
Also, during his presentation on Understanding the Investment Life cycle and Improving Investment Experience, Mr Icheke emphasized on the need for Anambra State to have a Target List to reach out to the Investors and also follow them up and at same time make sure the State Website captures all information the Investors want to see.
Another Reform Leader Mr Ifeanyi Raymond, who presented on One Government Approach – One Stop Shops and Integrated Service Delivery stated that it is an integrated gateway that gives the investor where everything is centralized in one singular system. Meaning, before one hour, the investor has found out what is needed to invest in and it must be digitalized to make things easy and accelerate the process.
Barrister Ifunanya Chidi, one of PEBEC experts, spoke on Access to Justice and Commercial Dispute Resolutions – Small Claim Courts and Multi door House Systems. She stated that the Small Claim Courts are strategically established in the state but people are not utilizing them. Her presentation serves as an eye opener to the participants and she made them to know that they can seek for justice through these courts whenever they encounter problems in the area of debts.
Also speaking during the Workshop, the Anambra State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Honourable Chukwukadibia Okoye, stressed on the giant strides of Anambra State in the Ease of Doing Business in the State. He highlighted on various policies and Reforms Anambra state has put in place, like the availability of credit, Partnership framework good roads, elimination of multiple charges, security Law to tackle insecurity, good electricity supply, establishment of small claim Courts among other factors, to make sure Anambra is a preferred state for investors.
The afternoon Session was an interactive session where the participants were allowed to pen down their questions which they received the anticipated responses from the right person.
THE PANEL LIST
The Secretary to Anambra State Government, Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, Professor Ofonze Amaucheazi, Hon. Commissioner for Lands Anambra State, Honourable Chukwukadibia Okoye, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Ikeazo Okonkwo, Chairman International Revenue Services, Mr Gabriel Ohiemi, PEBEC Team Lead, Mr Ifeanyi Icheke, PEBEC Reform Leader.
During the questions and answers session, a participant asked the Chairman of Internal Revenue Services what they are doing to stop illegal collection of Levies and to ensure transparency in the state. He made it clear that a Law has been made to that effect and also gave them hotlines they can use to report defaulters whenever they encounter such.
After other questions and answers, the Workshop came to an end by a vote of thanks from the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Honourable Chukwukadibia Okoye, who thanked the PEBEC team, all the participants and as many that contributed one way or the other in making the Workshop a huge success.
The afternoon Session was finally concluded by group photographs.
Orji Felicia Chinyere
For the Head of Centre
FIRC, Awka.
13/06/2026.
