FG engages foreign investors at PEBEC Roundtable on business environment reforms

2026-03-06 - 15:26

By Nnasom David Senior government officials and foreign investors operating in Nigeria met in Abuja on Thursday as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) convened the Third Existing Foreign Direct Investors (FDI) Roundtable to address challenges affecting the country’s investment climate. The high-level engagement, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, brought together top policymakers and representatives of foreign companies for discussions aimed at improving Nigeria’s business environment and strengthening investor confidence. The roundtable forms part of PEBEC’s efforts to deepen collaboration between government institutions and the private sector while ensuring that ongoing reforms translate into tangible improvements for investors already operating in the country. Opening the session, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, welcomed participants on behalf of the Vice President and Chairman of PEBEC, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining a stable and transparent business environment that supports investment and economic growth. In her remarks, the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, said the council remains committed to sustained engagement with investors and coordinated implementation of reforms across government agencies. She noted that existing foreign investors play a critical role in Nigeria’s economic development through job creation, capital investment, technology transfer, and supply chain development. According to her, PEBEC’s engagement strategy prioritises listening to investors already operating in the country in order to identify and address operational challenges affecting their businesses. The roundtable featured presentations and interactive discussions with senior government officials responsible for regulatory and policy frameworks affecting investors. Among them were the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu. Also participating virtually was Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and Minister of State for Finance-designate, who spoke on ongoing fiscal and tax reform initiatives aimed at improving tax certainty and strengthening revenue administration. Representatives of diplomatic missions, including the embassies of the United States, Russia, France, Colombia, Denmark and Pakistan, attended the event alongside development partners such as the United Nations and the World Bank. During the discussions, investors raised technical questions and shared insights on issues relating to security, tax administration, customs procedures and fiscal policy reforms. Participants commended the Federal Government for creating a platform for open dialogue and expressed interest in sustaining regular engagements to support reforms that enhance investor confidence.