Katsina unveils 2026 business reform plan to boost investment

The Katsina State government has unveiled its 2026 plan to reform the state’s economic landscape, with a focus on creating a robust and business-friendly environment for entrepreneurs, investors, and business owners.

Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi, Director-General of the Katsina Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), disclosed this in Katsina on Thursday while briefing journalists during the formal presentation and interactive session on the 2026 Business Enabling Reform Action Plan (BERAP), which brought together private-sector players and federal business regulatory agencies operating in the state.

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Jikamshi outlined a comprehensive roadmap of reforms, expected deliverables, and measurable impacts for the coming year.

The reforms include improved land administration and land-related investments, expanded fibre-optic deployment to enhance broadband access, speedy resolution of commercial disputes, and sustained large-scale investment, among others.

He said the objectives include completing the digitisation and automation of land administration processes, enhancing transparency, promoting gender inclusion in land ownership, strengthening systematic certification and revenue generation, and driving sustained large-scale investments. The reforms also aim to simplify inter-state trade procedures through efficient regulatory processes.

According to him, “We have identified, clarified, and simplified these processes for stakeholders. We have presented what we intend to deliver in 2026 and the expected outcomes in land administration, transparency in the payment of business fees and timelines, dispute resolution, ICT development, and other business-related interventions.”

Jikamshi noted that the reforms are centred on simplifying government processes—ranging from the issuance of licences and permits to creating a secure and enabling environment for businesses. He stressed that the plan is not a top-down mandate but a reflection of the needs of the business community, developed through a bottom-up approach.

“We have set for ourselves clear objectives and crafted specific deliverables for each item,” he added.

He further stated that the maximum turnaround time for certain processes would be two months. “We want to set a timeline of two months,” he said.

Federal agencies present at the event included the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), State Internal Revenue Service, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and others.

With its focus on digitisation, transparency, speedy dispute resolution, and regulatory simplification—implemented in close collaboration with the private sector and federal regulators—Katsina State says it is positioning itself for significant economic transformation in 2026 and signaling that it is open for business.

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