Sokoto State has launched its 2025 Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP), a comprehensive blueprint designed to transform the state's business climate and attract investment through targeted reforms across multiple sectors.
The plan, approved by the State Executive Council, demonstrates the government's commitment to creating an investment-friendly environment that supports both local entrepreneurs and large-scale investors.
**Key Reform Areas**
The BERAP focuses on five critical areas:
1. **Land Administration**: Digitizing land records, reducing property registration time to under 30 days, and implementing GIS for land management
2. **Right-of-Way for Fiber**: Standardizing RoW fees and timelines, targeting 7-day approval for fiber deployment permits
3. **PPP Project Preparation**: Creating a dedicated funding window for early-stage project development, including feasibility studies and transaction advisory
4. **Small Claims Courts**: Expanding SCC to all senatorial zones, targeting 60-day resolution times to improve business confidence
5. **Transparency**: Publishing quarterly implementation reports, procurement guidelines, and fee schedules online
**Investment Implications**
For investors, Sokoto's BERAP represents clear signals of the state's readiness to create a predictable, transparent business environment. Benefits include faster project approvals, reduced transaction costs, better contract enforcement, and easier infrastructure deployment.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu has emphasized that BERAP is not just a policy document but a performance contract with measurable outcomes. The state has assigned lead agencies for each reform area with specific timelines and quarterly reviews.
For more information on business enabling reforms and investment opportunities, visit the Sokoto State government website or contact the State Investment Office.