The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) entered a strategic partnership with the Abia state government to promote ease of doing business and empower entrepreneurs in the state.
The partnership was made formal during a high-level technical session in Umuahia, the state capital, with representatives of both parties present. The federal and state government officials, private sector stakeholders, and development partners came together to launch the partnership aimed at eliminating bureaucratic processes in the business climate of the state.
The session is part of a broader national agenda by PEBEC to decentralize reforms and localize the National Action Plan (NAP).
Zahrah Audu, Director General of PEBEC, stressed that the organization was prioritizing grassroots development in order to produce inclusive economic growth and development.
“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
Notable 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.
“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. She added
A Befitting Initiative
The PEBEC ease of doing business initiative is well suited to Abia State’s commercial prowess and industrialization efforts. The city of Aba in the state is long known for its business antics, especially in the area of local manufacturing.
Homemade products made in Aba range from footwear, bags, and textiles, putting the state on a global map, drawing the attention of both local and foreign customers.
The ease of doing business initiative will help deepen and boost this already existing business structure, attracting foreign investors and reflecting on the volume of exports from the state.
Business owners at the event lauded the partnership, describing it as well-timed and capable of transforming the state into a hub for innovation and investment.
