GIZ Presents Business Enabling Environment Reforms Assessment Findings to Stakeholders in Niger State

By YM Bina

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH has conducted a comprehensive assessment of Business Enabling Environment (BEE) reforms it supported to strengthen the investment climate and support the growth of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Niger state.

The findings of the assessment were presented at a stakeholders’ workshop to validate and provide further input and insights which was held in Minna.

Declaring the workshop opened, the state Commissioner for Investment and Private Sector Development, Alhaji Aminu Takuma represented by the Permanent Secretary, Helen W. Umaru applauded the continued support of GIZ which has yielded positive results in Niger state, urging for its sustainability.

She noted that the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umar Bago is ready for continued partnership with GIZ in order to ensure continuous benefit from its numerous interventions and technical assistance to the economic sector to the state.

Presenting the preliminary findings before the critical stakeholders, the Consultant, Mohammed Yarima Yakubu identified all BEE reforms supported by GIZ, level of implementation, Challenges, and recommendations and invited participants to reflect, review, and make inputs to enrich the exercise.

Accordingly, the exercise was carried out under the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria (SEDIN) Programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The assessment underscored the continued commitment of GIZ to promoting sustainable economic development by improving the conditions under which businesses operate.

Over the years, GIZ, through the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria Programme – SEDIN has supported several key business environment reforms in Niger State.

These reforms are designed to reduce barriers to doing business, strengthen institutions, and create opportunities for enterprises to grow, create jobs, and increase incomes.

The reforms supported include improvements in land registration processes, construction permit procedures, business registration, tax harmonisation, contract enforcement through mediation and small claims courts, and the establishment of a One-Stop Investment Centre.

These interventions have contributed to creating a more conducive environment for businesses and investment. Building on these achievements, Business Enabling Environment has been elevated to a dedicated component under the current Phase IV of the SEDIN Programme.

The assessment also looked at inclusion of vulnerable populace by examining the specific challenges faced by women-led businesses and entrepreneurs with disabilities with the view of identifying barriers affecting their competitiveness, profitability, and growth while recommending practical measures to improve their participation in the state’s economy.

Moreso, the assessment analyzed the institutional, political, legal, and economic factors influencing the sustainability of the reforms. It assessed stakeholder ownership, identified opportunities for strengthening existing interventions, and generated evidence-based recommendations to guide future engagement and policy advocacy.

The findings will provide valuable insights for government institutions, development partners, and the private sector, supporting efforts to sustain existing reforms while informing future interventions that promote a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient business environment.

In their separate contributions, the entrepreneurs lamented over lack of transparency and accountability in the process of loans and grants, blaming it on political will of the state government to enhance better results.

They have identified the lack of database of entrepreneurs and lack of involvement of the real and operational MSMEs during implementation of policy programs as setback for entrepreneurs in the state.

Stakeholders at the event commended the sustainable technical support and encouragement of GIZ which has been very impactful to the state economic sector, but decried their exclusion during the implementation process by government, which hinders the realization of their growth and competitiveness to the fullest in Niger state.