By Gbenga Adebayo
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has commenced the disbursement of over N1.1 billion in grants to entrepreneurs across the state under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme.
The event, held at the JB Yakubu Secretariat in Gusau, marked the formal rollout of the initiative, which is backed by the World Bank to remove barriers to business, stimulate private enterprise, and create jobs.
SPONSOR AD
Governor Lawal, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the programme was a turning point for Zamfara’s economy.
“We are gathered today to launch the program with the commencement of the disbursement of money to support various categories of businessmen and women throughout the state,” he stated.
The statement said 2,000 nano and micro business owners would each receive N150,000, while 1,000 small and medium-sized businesses would get N500,000 each.
In addition, 60 medium- and large-scale businesses are to benefit from grants of N5 million each. “We have carefully reviewed relevant government institutions and the private sector, represented by the Chamber of Commerce leadership, to select beneficiaries in each support category,” the governor said.
He affirmed that the total amount allocated for the disbursement component of the program is approximately N1.1 billion, with funding support ranging from $20 million USD to $52 million USD between 2022 and 2026.
The Director-General of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Charles Odii, commended the initiative.
“I am glad that His Excellency the governor is not paying lip service to developing small businesses in Nigeria. I was sitting there, hearing that 2,000 businesses will get N150,000. I think it is important that if a small business owner gets N150,000, he will employ one person,” Odii said.
The SABER programme, which runs from 2022 to 2026 with funding support ranging from $20 million to $52 million, is coordinated by the Ministry of Budget and Planning in partnership with ministries, agencies, and the Ease of Doing Business Committee.
