Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, has wasted no time in driving reforms aimed at improving Nigeria’s business climate. In her first major initiative days after her appointment, Audu spearheaded the launch of Nigeria’s Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) Framework at the Second Existing Foreign Direct Investors Roundtable. The new framework, which takes effect in March, applies to all federal regulatory agencies and introduces 11 key questions to assess the impact of new policies, ensuring they do not create unintended consequences. This move aligns with PEBEC’s broader strategy of promoting transparency, consistency, and stakeholder engagement in policymaking.
Speaking at the event over the weekend, Audu emphasised the significance of streamlining regulatory processes to attract foreign portfolio investment (FPI). She stated, “To attract and retain FPI, we must continue to streamline our regulatory processes. With the launch of the (Regulatory Impact Analysis) RIA framework, we are creating a predictable, transparent and business-friendly regulatory environment that minimises compliance hurdles.
“By collaborating with local and international institutions, we can bridge the infrastructure gap to enhance productivity and reduce the cost of doing business.”
Princess Zahrah, who was appointed PEBEC DG in January, said at the event themed “Promoting Huge Investment Inflows into Nigeria,” that transparency, consistency and engagement in policy-making will help Nigeria attract foreign direct investment (FDI). “We are creating a predictable, transparent, and business-friendly regulatory environment that minimises compliance hurdles by collaborating with local and international institutions.
By eliminating unnecessary barriers and fostering an environment of collaboration, we can turn Nigeria into a beacon of opportunity.”
As part of her comprehensive approach, Audu has identified key reforms designed to simplify business registration processes and address long-standing regulatory bottlenecks that have hindered Nigeria’s entrepreneurial growth.
