In an attempt to produce an indigenous independent business environment survey in the country, the African Heritage Institution (AfriHeritage) has begun the third cycle of the Business Environment and Competitiveness, BECANS III. The institution had conducted the first two cycles, BECANS I and II, in 2007 and 2010, respectively, when it was known as African Institute for Applied Economics (AIAE).
Ifediora Amobi, executive director, AfriHeritage, said the institution would be collaborating with the Organised Private Sector (OPS), researchers from different universities as well as the think- tank across the federation to conduct the study.
Amobi said the logic behind BECANS was that Nigeria’s sub-national jurisdictions (state and local governments) were crucial in ensuring good business environment and enhancing Nigeria’s global economic competitiveness ratings.
According to him, like every federation, business environment in Nigeria was the shared responsibility of the central and sub-national governments – federal, state and local. Hence, the overall business environment would depend upon the synergies existing between these levels of government.
The policy economist added that, in particular, state governments were responsible for the bulk of the infrastructural, regulatory and administrative services needed by private enterprises.
“So, without commensurate business environment reforms by state and local governments, the macroeconomic and institutional reforms of the federal government would not be able to produce the desired impact on employment and poverty”, he noted.
Speaking on the purpose of the study, the AfriHeritage averred that the survey would serve as barometer to measure the performance of different units of the federation and would help the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to mount up economic advocacy. He added that BECANS was an initiative that attempted to assess measure and promote evidence-based reforms of the business environment in Nigeria, focusing primarily on the states.
“The BECANS model defines business environment along four benchmarks; infrastructure and utilities, regulatory services, business development support and investment promotion; and Security,” he said, adding that BECANS ran in successive cycles of research, survey, dissemination and policy dialogue.
The AfriHeritage boss disclosed that the Institution had consulted and deliberated with all the critical stakeholders including the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, National Bureau of Statistics, National Planning Commission, and others to ensure their buy-in. He also said The Organised Private Sector, the relevant civil society organisations; the Non- Governmental Organisations would be involved at different stages of the BECANS III project.
Jones Lemchi, professor and coordinator of BECANS, said the institution was embarking on the project to provide scientific evidence for assessing business environment in Nigerian states in on- going basis. Lemchi added that the outcome of the study would also provide investment information for domestic and foreign investors.
ODINAKA ANUDU
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