By Nkechioginyi Ewa-Okpara
Ebonyi State is rolling out bold reforms to improve its ranking in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business index, with the government aiming to create a friendlier climate for investors and small businesses.
Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDA) and State Focal Person for the Ease of Doing Business Council, Dr. Steve Odo, said the agency created in July 2023 as the first law under Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration is focused on “removing bottlenecks and ensuring MSMEs thrive.”
Key reforms include eight executive orders on public-private partnerships, investment promotion, and grievance redress; creation of Small Claims Courts for debt cases up to ₦10 million; and a ₦1 billion Bank of Industry loan scheme for small businesses. The state is also offering free CAC registration and export licenses to qualifying entrepreneurs.
Flagship programmes such as Industriosity and From Street to Shop are tackling unemployment and poverty through training, skills development, and startup funding.
Dr. Odo said Ebonyi currently sits at 23rd on the national ease of doing business index but is determined to rise into the top ten. “Ebonyi is one of the safest states in the Southeast. Security, policy reforms, and a supportive government are our strongest selling points,” he added.