Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on state governments across Nigeria to accelerate business-enabling reforms to fully harness the benefits of the $750 million World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme.
Speaking on Tuesday at a stakeholder meeting on optimising the implementation of the SABER programme at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Shettima said the reforms were critical to attracting both domestic and international investments, improving infrastructure, and driving economic growth at the subnational level.
The Vice President noted that effective implementation of the programme would create a more transparent, predictable and investor-friendly business environment across the country.
According to him, the initiative is designed to boost investor confidence, lower the cost of doing business, improve access to land and commercial justice systems, and expand both digital and physical infrastructure.
Shettima further stated that the reforms would enhance the competitiveness of states, positioning them to attract greater private-sector participation and capital inflows.
“These outcomes will translate into increased economic activity, higher productivity, job creation, improved internally generated revenue, and better living standards for our citizens,” the Vice President said.
The SABER programme, supported by the World Bank, is aimed at strengthening the business climate in Nigerian states through targeted reforms that encourage investment, economic diversification, and sustainable development.
Stakeholders at the meeting discussed strategies to optimise implementation of the programme and ensure that participating states achieve the intended economic and governance outcomes.
