The programme on Business Environment and Competitiveness Across Nigerian States (BECANS) initiated by the African Institute for Applied Economics and implemented in collaboration with the National Planning Commission, Central Bank of Nigeria, private sector organizations and state governments, is aimed at producing and disseminating knowledge to support business environment reforms in the states. The BECANS Forum is the culmination of the process of participatory research, advocacy and consensus building involving ministries, departments and agencies of state and federal governments, private sector agencies and civil society organizations, for the promotion of reform agenda on business environment across Nigerian States. The Forum was held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on 16th August 2007.

The Forum was attended by over 330 participants. The participants include representatives of federal government ministries, departments and agencies, and representatives of state government ministries, departments and agencies. Other participants were drawn from private sector organizations including Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, National Association of Women Entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, international donor organizations, academic institutions, the media and the general public. The opening was performed by His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan, GCON, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria. The welcome address was given by the Honourable Minister of National Planning and Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission, Senator Mohammed Sanusi Daggash.

The Forum featured presentations on the Framework and Findings of BECANS. The survey was anchored on four benchmarks – infrastructure, regulatory services, business support and investment promotion, as well as security. The benchmarks are further broken down into eighteen measures and seventy five indicators, containing different items of concern to stakeholders – government, private sector and civil society.