Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs by providing grants and fostering an enabling business environment.
Speaking at the inauguration of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) grant distribution at the JB Yakubu Secretariat in Gusau, the governor described the initiative as a cornerstone of Zamfara’s economic renewal.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, SABER is a five-year, performance-based programme supported by the World Bank, designed to dismantle barriers, stimulate private enterprise, and create sustainable jobs. The total amount earmarked for disbursement under the initiative is about N1.1 billion, with overall funding support estimated between $20 million and $52 million for the period 2022 to 2026.
The grant distribution will target businesses across different categories. About 2,000 nano and micro businesses will receive N150,000 each, while 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises will access N500,000 each. Sixty medium and large-scale businesses have also been selected to receive grants of N5 million each.
Governor Lawal stressed that beneficiaries were carefully chosen through a process involving relevant government institutions and the private sector, represented by the state Chamber of Commerce. He noted that the programme is coordinated by the Ministry of Budget and Planning, with implementation led by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Zamfara Geographic Information Service (ZAGIS), and other ministries and agencies, working in collaboration with the Ease of Doing Business Committee.
The governor added that SABER is not a routine intervention but a long-term economic strategy to revive local businesses and position Zamfara for growth.
In his remarks, the Director General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, commended the governor’s efforts, describing the initiative as a practical step toward strengthening small businesses. He noted that grants at the micro level have the potential to create immediate jobs and stimulate local economies.
The programme is expected to boost productivity, increase employment, and enhance the business climate in Zamfara, with ripple effects across the state’s economy.
