В Калифорнии пройдет саммит по углублению торговых связей между штатом и лагосским государством

Business Follow Us on Google September 4, 2026 by Our Reporter Lagos, California to deepen transatlantic trade ties at business summit The Lagos Business and Investment Summit is set to bring together government officials, business leaders, investors and members of the African diaspora as California and Lagos seek to deepen economic and investment ties across the Atlantic. The two-day summit, scheduled for September 17 and 18, is being organised as a private-sector-led initiative powered by Afretrade Inc., the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NIED Group and the Office of Diaspora Affairs of Lagos State. It will be held in California,the United States. Themed “Building the California–Nigeria Business Bridge,” the summit will feature keynote addresses, high-level discussions, panel sessions, capital-raising engagements and business matchmaking, with proceedings scheduled from 9am to 5pm. A major highlight of the summit will be the signing of a trade pact between the State of California and Lagos State, to be led by the governors of both states. Organisers described the proposed agreement as a significant milestone in business diplomacy, saying it would strengthen commercial relations, facilitate investment and create new opportunities for businesses in both jurisdictions. California, with an economy estimated at about $4.1 trillion, is one of the world’s leading centres for technology, venture capital, entertainment, agriculture and advanced manufacturing. Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, is also a major African economic centre with a large consumer market and a highly entrepreneurial population. The summit is expected to focus on areas where the two economies have complementary strengths, including technology and fintech, trade and logistics, transportation infrastructure, the creative economy, agriculture and agro-processing, renewable energy, real estate and urban development, and financing for small and medium-sized enterprises. Chief Executive Officer, Afretrade, Lekan Salaam, said the initiative was designed to move the relationship between California and Lagos beyond government-to-government engagement and towards concrete commercial partnerships. “Africa’s economy will only thrive through love, unity of purpose, and collaboration without subordination. This Summit belongs to the entrepreneurs, investors, and diaspora leaders who turn goodwill into enterprise, and we are proud to celebrate this historic moment alongside the people of California and Lagos,” Salaam said. According to him, the summit would spotlight the scale and complementary strengths of the two economies while creating opportunities for businesses, investors and professionals to establish long-term partnerships. “Together, these markets present powerful areas of synergy and business alignment: technology and fintech; trade, logistics, and transportation infrastructure; the creative and entertainment economy; agriculture and agri-processing; renewable energy; real estate and urban development; and access to capital for small and medium enterprises.The Summit is structured to translate these complementarities into concrete partnerships, investment, and market-entry pathways in both directions,” he said. Salaam said the initiative would bring together chief executives, entrepreneurs and SMEs, investors and capital providers, Nigerian professionals and business owners based in the United States, members of the wider African-descent business community, as well as trade, policy and development leaders interested in Africa’s economic development. He said the summit was also intended to build on groundwork laid through the combined efforts of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), led by California State Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, the Office of Mark Henney and the Bay Area Council. According to him, the summit would recognise the contribution of these institutions to strengthening California-Lagos relations while giving the private sector a platform to convert the relationship into commercial opportunities. The programme will also include a Gala and Award Night at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, where participants will celebrate the initiative through cultural performances and other activities. Salaam said the programme would subsequently extend to the San Francisco Bay Area, where a high-level diplomatic and business networking reception would be hosted alongside representatives of Lagos State. He said the San Francisco engagement would provide an opportunity to sustain discussions initiated during the summit and strengthen the emerging commercial and diplomatic relationship between California and Lagos. Read Also: Tinubu: Africa not asking for favourable ratings, but fair assessment The organisers said the summit was expected to provide a platform for Nigerian and American businesses to explore market-entry opportunities, identify investment prospects and develop partnerships capable of supporting trade, innovation and job creation. They added that the participation of government representatives from California and Lagos would underscore the strategic importance of the initiative and provide a framework for deeper public-private collaboration. The organisers expressed optimism that the California-Lagos partnership would ultimately contribute to increased trade, investment and knowledge exchange while providing Nigerian businesses and diaspora entrepreneurs with greater access to international markets and capital. 📢 ADVERTISEMENT DISCLAIMER: Links above are sponsored posts. The Nation assumes no liability or responsibility for the claims, products, or services offered by third-party advertisers. Proceed with discretion. Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Nation Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline — join now! Join The Nation Channel Get instant breaking news and exclusive updates right on your feed! 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