PEBEC Urges Taraba To Fast-Track Reforms To Boost Investment

The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has urged the Taraba State Government to accelerate reforms in land administration, regulatory processes, digital governance and investor engagement to improve the state’s investment climate and strengthen ease of doing business.

The call was made in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, during the PEBEC Nationwide Sub-National Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop 2026 on Business Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness.

The Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zara Mustapha Audu, said investors are increasingly guided by transparency, efficiency and institutional reliability when choosing where to invest.

She said states must therefore intensify reforms to remain competitive and attract sustainable investment inflows.

“Investors increasingly assess states based on transparency, efficiency, reliability of government institutions and the ease of accessing services before making investment decisions,” she said.

Princess Audu identified key reform priorities to include land registration and administration, harmonisation of levies and fees, regulatory governance, infrastructure development, access to justice and improved sub-national rankings.

She stressed that digital transformation is central to modern investment promotion, noting that investors now rely heavily on online information before making decisions.

“States must strengthen their digital presence, streamline regulatory procedures and establish effective feedback mechanisms for the private sector to enhance investor confidence,” she said.

According to her, the workshop was designed to deepen collaboration between government institutions, private sector operators and development partners, while also assessing progress on ongoing reforms.

She added that investors also consider policy consistency and the experiences of existing businesses when evaluating investment destinations.

“Investors want credible information, reliable institutions and a seamless process. They are interested in what existing businesses say about a state and whether government commitments can be sustained beyond changes in administration,” she said.

Representing Governor Agbu Kefas, Emmanuel Hassan Longsig reaffirmed Taraba State’s commitment to reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and attracting investment.

He said the state is aligning with federal initiatives through institutional reforms, regulatory efficiency and digital transformation.

“Taraba State continues to take deliberate steps to improve service delivery, modernise governance and create an environment where investors feel welcome and protected,” he said.

He added that ongoing reforms in land administration, digital systems and SME support are designed to unlock economic opportunities and boost growth.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Danjuma Ismaila Saigudu, said the government is establishing a one-stop investment information centre.

He said the centre would provide consolidated data on opportunities in agriculture, mining, energy and other key sectors to ease investor decision-making.

The workshop featured sessions on regulatory impact analysis, service delivery reform, investment facilitation systems and performance measurement for ease of doing business.

Participants included government officials, private sector representatives, development partners and investment stakeholders.