Governor Dauda Lawal has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming Zamfara State’s economy by supporting local entrepreneurs with over N1 billion in grants.
Speaking at the JB Yakubu Secretariat, Gusau, during the launch of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, the governor said Zamfara is on a new path, moving away from years of challenges to a future driven by private sector growth.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described SABER as a five-year, performance-based, multi-sectoral initiative supported by the World Bank.
The programme is designed to remove barriers to enterprise, stimulate private investment, and create sustainable jobs across the state.
Under the scheme, N150,000 will be given to 2,000 beneficiaries running nano and micro businesses, while 1,000 small and medium-sized business owners will each receive N500,000. Sixty medium and large-scale businesses will benefit from grants of N5 million each.
Lawal disclosed that about N1.1 billion has been allocated for the disbursement component of the programme, with total funding support ranging from $20 million to \$52 million between 2022 and 2026.
“We are gathered today to launch the program and commence disbursement to support businessmen and women throughout the state,” he said.
“The categories were carefully selected in collaboration with relevant government institutions and the private sector, represented by the Chamber of Commerce leadership.”
He explained that SABER is coordinated by the Ministry of Budget and Planning and implemented by key MDAs including Commerce and Industry, Finance, Agriculture, Justice, ZAGIS, Housing Corporation, ZITDA, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Ease of Doing Business Committee.
The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, praised Governor Lawal for his commitment to supporting small businesses.
“I am glad that His Excellency is not paying lip service to developing small businesses in Nigeria. If a small business owner gets N150,000, he will employ at least one person, creating jobs and improving livelihoods,” Odii said.
