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Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, has wasted no time in driving reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s business climate. In her first major initiative days after her appointment, Audu spearheaded the launch of Nigeria’s Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework at the Second Existing Foreign Direct Investors Roundtable.
The new framework, which takes effect in March, applies to all federal regulatory agencies and introduces 11 key questions to assess the impact of new policies, ensuring they do not create unintended consequences. This move aligns with PEBEC’s broader strategy of promoting transparency, consistency, and stakeholder engagement in policymaking.
Speaking at the event over the weekend, Audu emphasised the significance of streamlining regulatory processes to attract foreign portfolio investment (FPI). She stated, “To attract and retain FPI, we must continue to streamline our regulatory processes. With the launch of the (Regulatory Impact Analysis) RIA framework, we are creating a predictable, transparent and business-friendly regulatory environment that minimises compliance hurdles.
“By collaborating with local and international institutions, we can bridge the infrastructure gap to enhance productivity and reduce the cost of doing business.”
Princess Zahrah, who was appointed PEBEC DG in January, said at the event themed “Promoting Huge Investment Inflows into Nigeria,” that transparency, consistency and engagement in policy-making will help Nigeria attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
“We are creating a predictable, transparent, and business-friendly regulatory environment that minimises compliance hurdles by collaborating with local and international institutions.
“We can bridge the infrastructure gap to enhance productivity and reduce the cost for doing business.”
A seasoned entrepreneur and political leader, Audu is renowned as the initiator of ‘Invest in Nigeria’, one of the projects she conceived to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.
“PEBEC’s mission is simple—ensure that businesses, both big and small, have the right tools and conditions to grow,” said Audu.
“By eliminating unnecessary barriers and fostering an environment of collaboration, we can turn Nigeria into a beacon of opportunity.”
As part of her comprehensive approach, Audu has identified key reforms designed to simplify business registration processes and address long-standing regulatory bottlenecks that have hindered Nigeria’s entrepreneurial growth.
Her leadership is viewed as pivotal in unlocking Nigeria’s vast potential, particularly in sectors such as technology, agriculture, and renewable energy, as the country seeks to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil revenues.
Audu’s leadership is also seen as a significant step toward greater gender inclusion in Nigeria’s polity.
As a prominent advocate for women in business, she brings a unique perspective to her role, further solidifying her influence in the broader socio-political landscape.
In addition to the RIA framework, PEBEC has outlined a set of strategic goals aimed at positioning Nigeria among the top countries for ease of doing business. These goals include simplifying business processes, improving transparency and accountability, enhancing infrastructure and logistics, deepening sectoral reforms, promoting subnational reforms, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and ensuring performance is measured through end-user feedback.
The council has also announced plans to establish commercial courts and subnational councils as part of its ongoing efforts to remove bureaucratic constraints and strengthen the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Zahrah Audu’s background in business management and investment facilitation, and her previous role as Technical Adviser to the President on FDI, equip her to seamlessly drive PEBEC’s reforms.
Her experience with the ‘Invest in Nigeria’ campaign gives her a deep understanding of Nigeria’s business challenges and potential solutions.
Faridah Abdulkadiri and Boluwatife Enome
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