SABER Programme: Shettima urges states to accelerate reforms and unlock the $750 million World Bank-backed business environment fund
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday urged state governments to accelerate business-enabling reforms and fully utilise the $750 million World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme to drive investment, job creation and economic growth across Nigeria.
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Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on optimising the implementation of the SABER Programme in Abuja, Shettima said state governments play a critical role in creating the conditions required for businesses to thrive and investors to commit capital.
The Vice President noted that effective implementation of the programme would create a more predictable, transparent and investor-friendly business environment across the country.
According to him, the initiative is expected to attract both domestic and foreign investment, strengthen private sector confidence and reduce the cost of doing business at the sub-national level.
Shettima said the programme would also support the expansion of digital and physical infrastructure, improve access to land and enhance the competitiveness of participating states.
“These outcomes will translate into increased economic activity, higher productivity, job creation, improved internally generated revenue, and better living standards for our citizens,” he said.
The Vice President directed the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) to begin the process of extending the lifespan of the programme by one year to allow states maximise available opportunities.
He argued that full optimisation of the SABER Programme would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s ambition of building a $1 trillion economy.
“I therefore encourage us to engage constructively and contribute meaningfully to our deliberations.
“Let us 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,” Shettima stated.
The Vice President linked the success of President Bola Tinubu’s ongoing economic reforms to the creation of a conducive environment for businesses.
He said while the Federal Government continues to implement reforms at the national level, many of the factors influencing investors’ experiences are determined by state governments.
“This is why the role of state governments in the implementation of SABER is critical,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Minister of State for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, urged stakeholders to address implementation challenges that could hinder access to the performance-based funding.
Uzoka-Anite expressed confidence that participating states would meet the required benchmarks and benefit from the intervention designed jointly by the World Bank and PEBEC.
The Director-General of PEBEC, Zarah Mustapha-Audu, said the council remains committed to eliminating bureaucratic obstacles and improving the ease of doing business nationwide.
Mustapha-Audu noted that although access to the funds is tied to specific performance targets, states have continued to make progress towards meeting the programme’s disbursement-linked indicators.
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The SABER Programme is one of the Federal Government’s key initiatives aimed at strengthening the business climate, boosting investor confidence and supporting sustainable economic development across Nigeria’s states.
Victory Emmanuel is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
