Why Gombe Tops Ease Of Doing Business – Commissioner

Gombe State commissioner for Trade, Industry, and Tourism, Nasir Mohammed, has said the state government has maintained its top position in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking due to its sustained efforts to create a conducive environment for artisans, entrepreneurs, and small-scale businesses.

Mohammed told LEADERSHIP that multiple initiatives have improved the business climate in the state, including road infrastructure, security, digital promotion, and financial support.

He said, “Gombe ranked first in ease of doing business because the state government has provided an enabling and conducive environment for artisans and other small-scale entrepreneurs to operate without hitches.”

LEADERSHIP reports that Phillips Consulting (pcl.), one of Nigeria’s subnational assessment firms, has ranked Gombe State 1st in the country for road infrastructure and public hospital service delivery.

According to the firm’s 2025 index, the state also topped the Sanitation and Ease of Doing Business, marking a crucial milestone in its commitment to accessible healthcare, transport development, and investor-friendly policies.

The commissioner explained that the state government had invested heavily in road infrastructure, especially around markets and production hubs, to ease the movement of goods and services across the state.

“The state government has constructed a network of roads to connect business clusters and facilitate easy transportation. This has drastically reduced logistics costs and enabled smoother transactions,” he added.

In addition to physical infrastructure, the commissioner stressed the importance of power and security for any successful business. “We ensure there is adequate lighting, either through solar or electricity, particularly in business districts and artisan workshops. We have also worked closely with security agencies to ensure that our industrial zones and markets remain peaceful and safe for operations.”

Mohammed revealed that the ministry now manages a dedicated Ease of Doing Business website, an innovation he says is transforming how Gombe artisans access markets.

“Any artisan can upload their products with photos and contact information on the website. Customers from any part of the world can see and call them directly to access the product, with each artisan paying N1,000 only per year,” he noted.

The commissioner also spoke on the state’s swift emergency response in times of crisis, recalling a recent fire outbreak that devastated a group of artisans at Mekera – the local blacksmiths in Gombe metropolis.

“We did not waste time. The government provided them with tools and materials so they could bounce back immediately.”

Through initiatives such as Gombe CARES (Gocares) – an initiative that supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with operational support grants and IT enhancements – the government has partnered with financial institutions and programmes to provide non-interest loans to small businesses.

He noted that many of these artisans are already contributing significantly to the local economy, emphasising that this has drastically reduced youth unemployment and dependency in the state.

Beyond infrastructure and finance, the commissioner said the state government has always remained open and supportive of cooperative groups and trade unions.

Mohammed further stated that Gombe’s consistent top ranking since 2020 on the Ease of Doing Business Index is a testament to Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s vision of inclusive economic growth, grassroots empowerment, and strategic planning. “It is the result of serious commitment and business-enabling policies. Since 2020, Gombe has consistently been in the first place in terms of Ease of Doing Business,” he said.

He concluded by affirming that Gombe would continue to raise the bar, noting that it is on the verge of being named as the state with a success story within the last 10 years. “Gombe State continues to lead on several developmental indices. And His Excellency, the governor, is committed to doing even more”, he added.