The Lagos State Government has once again reiterated its commitment to creating a thriving business environment through sustained policy reforms and private sector collaboration. This assurance was given during the Lagos edition of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Technical Session and Statewide Townhall Meeting held on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Ikeja. The event was convened by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (MCCTI).
Speaking at the session, the Honourable Commissioner for MCCTI, Mrs. Folashade Bada-Ambrose, described Lagos as a proactive sub-national entity that is not only aware of the importance of reform but is also fully invested in institutionalising it. She noted that the state government recognises that economic prosperity must be deliberately built, not merely anticipated.
According to her, “Reforms must be constructed upon policy clarity, infrastructure readiness, regulatory transparency, and above all, unwavering public-private cooperation. It is within this framework that Lagos has embraced the SABER programme—not merely as a compliance tool, but as a catalyst for governance transformation, increased private sector participation, and inclusive economic growth.”
Bada-Ambrose highlighted that the State’s engagement with the SABER initiative has been both strategic and dynamic, aligning seamlessly with the government’s broader development agenda. She pointed to key frameworks such as the Lagos State Industrial Policy (LSIP 2025–2030), the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Lagos State Development Plan (LSDP 2052), which collectively provide the blueprint for economic diversification and inclusive development.
She added that the LSIP outlines five thematic policy directions designed to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the state’s GDP to 30% by 2030, while the LSDP 2052 envisions an economy worth $250 billion, driven by strong infrastructure, innovation, and skilled human capital. “Our adoption of SABER is accelerating the implementation of these strategic objectives,” she affirmed.
Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, also spoke at the session, stating that the success of economic reforms at the sub-national level is tied to effective collaboration between the states and federal government. She said PEBEC’s work with state governments through the SABER initiative is vital in ensuring that regulatory environments are consistently improved to support businesses across the country.
She remarked, “The role of state policies in the business ecosystem cannot be overstated. PEBEC’s collaboration with sub-national governments like Lagos allows for the continuous review and strengthening of regulations, which in turn, boosts investor confidence and drives innovation and economic expansion.”
Princess Audu reiterated the Council’s commitment to supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that fostering a vibrant business environment is central to the administration’s economic vision.
The SABER programme is a key initiative under PEBEC aimed at enhancing the ease of doing business at the state level, and Lagos continues to be a frontrunner in implementing business-enabling reforms that serve as a model for other states across the federation.
