VP urges states to accelerate $750m SABER business reforms
VP Kashim Shettima Tuesday urged state governments to accelerate business-enabling reforms to unlock the $750 million World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima emphasized that a thriving business environment is necessary to attract capital, enhance infrastructure, and drive subnational economic growth.
The SABER programme aims to create a predictable and transparent business environment, with benefits including attracting domestic and foreign investment, reducing the cost of doing business, expanding infrastructure, improving access to land and commercial justice, and enhancing state competitiveness.
Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite and PEBEC Director-General Zarah Mustapha-Audu also participated, with Mustapha-Audu assuring that progress is being made by participating states to meet disbursement-linked indicators. The programme's outcomes are expected to translate into increased economic activity, higher productivity, job creation, improved revenue, and better living standards for citizens.
With Nigeria pursuing a one-trillion-dollar economy goal, Shettima encouraged states to 'seize this opportunity to unlock the full potential of the SABER Programme and position our States as engines of economic growth, investment, and sustainable development.'