The Edo State government, in partnership with the private sector, has taken a significant step towards improving the State’s business environment by developing the 2025 Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP).
This strategic initiative was spearheaded by the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO) and gathered key stakeholders at the Edo State One-Stop Investment Center in Benin City.
The planning session brought together a diverse range of participants, including representatives from various government agencies, private organizations, and industry associations.
Among those present were members of the Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), the Edo State Exporters Cluster, the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), LAPO Microfinance Bank, the Edo State Footwear Practitioners Association, the Edo State Cooperative Farmers Agency, and other prominent business groups.
The primary focus of the session was to identify critical areas for improvement in the State’s business landscape, such as security, electricity, job creation, infrastructure development, market access, and communication channels.
Through a series of breakout sessions, participants discussed the challenges faced by businesses in these areas and explored opportunities to foster a more favourable business climate.
Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, Managing Director of ESIPO, delivered opening remarks, stressing the importance of setting measurable targets and timelines for the BERAP initiatives.
He underscored the need for enhanced communication between the government and the private sector, as well as a more transparent and efficient regulatory framework.
“In terms of job creation, what are the targets for next year, and how can the government and private sector collaborate to meet these goals? Regarding electricity, what are the current needs of businesses in Edo State? For communication, we need to ask ourselves how the private sector and government can improve their channels of dialogue,” Uwaibi said.
Participants laid out their expectations for the 2025 BERAP, which included actionable plans for improving market access, enhancing security, creating business clusters, standardizing products, and harmonising taxes. They also stressed the importance of accessible infrastructure and updated business data, which they believe will directly benefit entrepreneurs in the State.
The Director General of BENCCIMA emphasised the importance of reviewing previous action plans to assess where progress was made and to identify areas for improvement. He called on all government ministries, departments, agencies, and businesses to work collaboratively to achieve success.
The Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) team from ESIPO also presented an overview of previous BERAP implementations, highlighting the lessons learned and stressing the importance of continuous improvement and adaptation to changing economic conditions.
The 2025 BERAP session represents a significant milestone in the on-going effort to create a more conducive business environment in Edo State.
By fostering collaboration between the government and private sector, the plan aims to attract more investments, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for the people of Edo State.
