Katsina State Woos Investors with Business-Enabling Reforms

Katsina State is actively working to become a prime destination for both foreign and local investors through a series of comprehensive business-enabling reforms. The state government, in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), hosted a workshop to showcase these initiatives and engage with potential investors.

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Across other sectors, we have continued to improve our transparent services, strengthening investment promotion, deepening public-private partnerships, facilitated interstate trade, reformed the water and electricity sectors, and improved public financial management.

Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal emphasized that the reforms are designed to stimulate economic growth and foster sustainable private-sector investment. Key initiatives include streamlining investment facilitation processes, automating land administration, and digitizing land records. The state has also implemented the framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-intensive Agricultural Investment (RILA).

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These reforms are all guided by one objective, to create an environment where businesses can grow with confidence and where investors see Katsina State as a preferred destination for investment.

Furthermore, the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service has modernized its tax administration, simplifying procedures and enhancing taxpayer engagement through digital platforms. This move aims to make tax compliance easier and build public confidence. Lawal stated that these reforms across various sectors, including transparent services, investment promotion, public-private partnerships, interstate trade, water, electricity, and public financial management, are all geared towards creating a business-friendly environment.

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It is a forum where businesses can speak freely about their experience, where the government can listen attentively and where together we can identify, clarify and simplify practical solutions that will further improve the investment climate in our state.

Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi, Director-General of the Katsina State Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), highlighted the workshop as a testament to the government's commitment. He noted that such forums are crucial for dialogue between the government and the private sector, allowing for the exchange of ideas and the identification of practical solutions to improve the investment climate. Jikamshi acknowledged that reform is an ongoing process, with continuous opportunities for improvement in systems, procedures, and public service quality.

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While we have made considerable progress in recent years, we recognise that a reform is a continuous journey. There will always be room to improve our systems, simplify our procedures and strengthen the quality of public service.