Why Kaduna State Excelled in Ease of Doing Business Ranking – Commissioner Explains

Kaduna State’s rising profile as a preferred destination for investment in Nigeria has been linked directly to the infrastructural expansion and land administration reforms implemented under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.

This position was explained by the Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Mrs. Patience Fakai, during a media briefing held on Friday. According to her, the state’s recent performance shows that Kaduna is firmly on course to emerge as Nigeria’s leading state in the Ease of Doing Business ranking in the next assessment cycle.

She recalled that Kaduna State secured the second position nationwide in the most recent Subnational Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) ranking conducted by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). This ranking evaluates how friendly states are to business operations across Nigeria.

Mrs. Fakai noted that the achievement marks a significant improvement from the state’s earlier position. In the 2023 assessment, Kaduna placed eighth with an Ease of Doing Business score of 6.18. However, the latest PEBEC evaluation has elevated the state to second place nationally, recording a 65.1 percent performance score measured across 16 key indicators.

Explaining the progress, the Commissioner attributed the outcome to Governor Uba Sani’s reform-driven governance approach. She described his leadership as intentional and focused on encouraging private-sector participation, which has strengthened Kaduna’s competitiveness within Nigeria’s investment landscape.

She further disclosed that the PEBEC assessment covered critical areas such as physical infrastructure, digital access, tax systems, and land administration processes. According to her, measurable year-on-year improvements in these sectors have driven Kaduna’s rapid climb in the rankings.

Mrs. Fakai stated that Kaduna’s advancement to second position in 2025 reflects consistent performance gains. She expressed confidence that the state would attain the top position by 2027, citing the governor’s ongoing development initiatives and reform footprint across multiple sectors.

The Commissioner also highlighted the restructuring of the Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA), describing it as a key intervention aimed at removing administrative barriers that previously slowed down investment inflows. She explained that KADIPA now operates as a one-stop investment center designed to simplify procedures for investors.

According to her, the state government has worked to minimize bureaucratic delays, improve business registration timelines, and enhance licensing efficiency. In addition, Kaduna has expanded the use of digital platforms to handle approvals and business-related services, reducing physical contact and processing time.

Mrs. Fakai added that KADIPA has strengthened its investor aftercare framework by offering continuous support, coordinating engagement with relevant government agencies, and ensuring smoother execution of approved projects.

She concluded that the combined impact of these reforms has positioned Kaduna State as the second-best performing subnational entity in Nigeria’s Ease of Doing Business ranking and the leading state in Northern Nigeria.