Shettima Charges States to Unlock Full Potential of $750m SABER Programme

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on Nigerian state governments to intensify their efforts in implementing business-enabling reforms, aiming to fully leverage the potential of the $750 million State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) program. This World Bank-assisted initiative is designed to foster economic growth and attract investment at the subnational level.

During a stakeholder meeting in Abuja, Shettima stressed that a fully realized SABER program would cultivate a more predictable and transparent business environment. He highlighted its capacity to attract both domestic and foreign capital, strengthen private sector confidence, reduce the cost of doing business, and improve essential infrastructure. The Vice President also directed Zarah Mustapha-Audu, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), to pursue a one-year extension for the program.

Shettima linked the success of President Bola Tinubu's economic agenda to the creation of a conducive business climate, which he noted is largely determined at the state level. He asserted that optimizing SABER implementation is vital for Nigeria's ambition to achieve a trillion-dollar economy, underscoring the program's role in driving economic activity, job creation, and improved living standards for citizens.