By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) on Thursday launched an online platform to assist both local and foreign investors with basic information about the business environment in the country.
The new website, iGuide Nigeria, according to the Executive Secretary of NIPC, Ms Yewande Sadiku, “is a marketing tool, as information on Nigeria’s investment processes and procedures are on one platform for easy access.”
She disclosed that the platform was created with the support of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
Ms Sadiku said the portal, which has different languages, would be updated quarterly, giving investors up-to-date and pertinent information on the processes, procedures and basic costs of doing business in Nigeria.
“It provides information on starting business, labour, production factors, land, taxes, investor rights, growth sectors and opportunities,” the agency’s scribe said at the unveiling yesterday.
Also present at the event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Mr Edet Akpan, who represented the Minister, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah, noted that the portal would greatly improve the Ease of Doing Business in the country.
The latest World Bank rating says Nigeria ranks 145 out of 190 countries listed in the Ease of Doing Business index for 2018.
The report indicated that Nigeria had moved up by 24 points from 169th position on the 2017 ranking and also 170th position on the 2016 ranking to 145 in the World Bank 2018 Report.
“The ranking of Ease of Doing Business for now is not good enough for Nigeria; we are working hard to ensure that in the next ranking the country will be among the top 10,” Mr Akpan said.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka