The Edo State Government has disclosed plans to harmonise a single tax code payment platform as part of efforts to improve the ease of doing business and boost investor confidence in the state.

The Edo State Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment, Omoh Anabor, made this known on the sidelines of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Sub-National Engagement and Technical Reforms Workshop 2026, held in Benin City.

Anabor commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for providing the platform for the engagement, noting that the SHINE Agenda of the administration aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, particularly in the area of improving the ease of doing business.

According to him, Edo State is already implementing most of the reforms being advocated by PEBEC, especially in trade, commerce, and investment policies.

“We have engaged the Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) on the need to harmonise a single tax code payment platform, which is one of the major recommendations of PEBEC,” he said.

“The harmonisation will boost investors’ confidence and eliminate concerns about double taxation, thereby attracting more investments into Edo State.”

He added that the state would continue to partner with the Federal Government to maximise collaborative opportunities that would drive economic growth and investment.

The Commissioner noted that Edo State has identified its rich cultural heritage as a unique brand and intends to build investment strategies around it to attract more investors.

Speaking at the workshop, the Director-General of PEBEC, Zahrah Audu, said the council is working to ensure that business-friendly policies at the federal level are replicated and implemented at the sub-national level.

She stressed the need for public servants and governments to build public trust and confidence in governance processes, assuring stakeholders that PEBEC would remain deliberate and consistent in promoting accountability.

“We can assure you of accountability at both the federal and sub-national levels in implementing ease-of-doing-business reforms,” she said.

Audu explained that the Edo engagement formed part of PEBEC’s second nationwide tour aimed at strengthening business-enabling reforms and enhancing investment competitiveness across the states.

She noted that the workshop featured technical sessions and interactive engagements involving government officials and private sector stakeholders.

According to her, the sub-national ease-of-doing-business rankings released by PEBEC in November last year were designed not merely as reports but as accountability tools to encourage states to improve their business environments.

She added that PEBEC is supporting states in digitalising their processes and monitoring progress to ensure sustainable reforms. Audu also urged private sector operators to hold state governments accountable for implementing business-friendly policies.

“Under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and with the support of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Nigerians will continue to experience improvements in the ease of doing business at both the federal and sub-national levels,” she said.

The workshop featured presentations on strengthening regulatory governance through Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA), understanding the investment lifecycle and improving investors’ experiences, and harmonisation of levies and regulatory charges, as well as metrics and parameters for sub-national ease-of-doing-business rankings. (Channels TV)