The Taraba State Government has approved the establishment of a One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) and the development of a comprehensive state investment portal as part of its ongoing efforts to improve the Ease of Doing Business and attract both local and international investors.
Approved by Governor Agbu Kefas, the initiative represents a significant milestone in the state's economic reform agenda, providing investors with faster, more transparent, and more efficient access to government services and investment opportunities.
The reforms were announced following the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Sub-National Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop on Business Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness, recently held in Jalingo.
Speaking on the initiative, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Danjuma Ismaila Saigudu, explained that the state has taken concrete steps to address recommendations from the PEBEC engagement while implementing reforms that promote sustainable economic growth.
According to him, the new digital investment portal will integrate services across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), providing investors with a single platform to access information on investment opportunities, regulatory requirements, incentives, and the state's vast natural and human resources.
The portal will also enable prospective investors to complete most investment-related processes online, significantly reducing the need for physical visits and improving the overall investment experience.
As part of the reforms, Taraba State has reduced the timeline for processing investment applications from 21 days to 14 days, except in cases requiring physical documentation or the execution of legal agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.
Mr. Saigudu noted that the reforms are designed to unlock Taraba's enormous economic potential across agriculture, solid minerals, livestock production, energy, tourism, and other strategic sectors, while strengthening institutional efficiency and digital governance.
He reaffirmed the state's commitment to creating an investor-friendly environment through modernised public services, improved land administration, enhanced digital platforms, and continued support for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Permanent Secretary further emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong digital presence, noting that investors increasingly rely on credible, up-to-date information and transparent institutions when making investment decisions.
Once operational, the One-Stop Investment Centre will serve as a central hub where investors can obtain information, process applications, and access government services related to investment opportunities across key sectors of the Taraba economy.
The initiative reflects Governor Agbu Kefas' vision of building a competitive, investment-ready economy by simplifying government processes, strengthening investor confidence, and creating an enabling environment for sustainable economic development.