By Ahmed Ameedat
Anambra State has restated its commitment to building a technology driven, business friendly environment as it works to consolidate its position as a top investment hub in Nigeria.
This reaffirmation came during the inaugural State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) technical session and a statewide town hall meeting held at the International Conference Center, Awka. The engagement formed part of a nationwide outreach by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), aimed at deepening reform implementation across states through dialogue with government officials, business leaders, and private sector stakeholders.
Representing Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, Deputy Governor Dr. Onyeka Ibezim described the session as timely and strategic, emphasizing that Anambra’s reform strategy is anchored on accountability, measurable outcomes, and technology integration.
“In line with Governor Soludo’s belief that ‘if you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it,’ we are embedding data, planning, and technology across all tiers of government,” Ibezim said.
Anambra currently ranks 7th nationally and leads in the South East region on Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business index. The state government, however, reiterated that reform is an ongoing journey, not a destination.
Delivering a goodwill message via video, PEBEC Director General Princess Zahra Mustapha Audu described the $750 million World Bank backed SABER programme as a transformative framework aimed at helping states align with global best practices in creating transparent and investor friendly climates.
“Designing reforms is just one step; real change comes from implementation. States are the drivers of Nigeria’s economic growth,” she noted.
Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, highlighted that over 98% of Anambra’s wealth resides in the private sector, underscoring the need for a responsive, intentional government reform agenda.
“Under Governor Soludo, we are removing hurdles and enabling a fertile ground for entrepreneurship and innovation,” she stated.
During the technical session, PEBEC reform leaders Ohiemi Gabriel, Ifeanyi Icheke, and Oluwatofunmi Odunladi commended Anambra for its consistent reform tracking and reporting, which maintained the state’s high ranking in both the 2021 and 2023 assessments. They urged the state to build on this progress ahead of the next evaluation set for December 2025.
A key highlight of the event was a robust town hall session featuring a panel of top state officials, including Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, alongside Commissioners for Industry, Lands, Power, and Water Resources, as well as the heads of ANSIPPA and ASBA.
The panel outlined several key initiatives driving Anambra’s reform agenda:
ANAMGIS: Digitizing land administration;
Grievance Redress Mechanism: Swiftly resolving investor concerns;
.anambrastate.gov.ng: Standardizing official communication and enhancing public trust;
Fiber Optic Expansion: Preparing the state for 5G and broader digital access;
Solution Lens: A civic tech platform promoting project transparency and citizen oversight.
They also pointed to Governor Soludo’s infrastructure master plan, particularly in roads and logistics, aimed at improving intra-state mobility and business efficiency.
As Anambra looks ahead to the next PEBEC review, the government and stakeholders reiterated their commitment to a reform strategy rooted in data, technology, transparency, and measurable growth further reinforcing the state’s reputation as a rising beacon for investment and innovation in Nigeria.
