LAGOS, CALIFORNIA SET FOR FRESH PUSH TO EXPAND CROSS-ATLANTIC BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS

Lagos State and California are set to strengthen their economic relationship through a business and investment summit expected to bring government representatives, entrepreneurs, investors and members of the African diaspora together to explore new opportunities for trade and commercial cooperation.

The California-Lagos Business and Investment Summit, scheduled for September 17 and 18, 2026, in California, is being organised around the theme “Building the California-Nigeria Business Bridge.” The initiative is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders from both sides to discuss ways of converting existing economic relationships into practical partnerships capable of generating investment and expanding business opportunities.

The summit is being driven by Afretrade Inc., the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NIED Group and the Office of Diaspora Affairs of Lagos State. Organisers say the event will bring together business leaders, policymakers, capital providers and members of the diaspora, with discussions expected to focus on how companies can gain access to new markets, investment opportunities and commercial networks.

A major proposal expected to feature at the gathering is a potential trade pact between California and Lagos State. The organisers have described the proposed agreement as an important step towards strengthening business-to-business and government-to-government economic links between the two regions, with the participation of the governors of both jurisdictions anticipated at the summit.

The organisers are also seeking to build on previous efforts involving California's transportation authorities and Nigerian stakeholders. They cited the groundwork associated with the California State Transportation Agency, CalSTA, under Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, as well as the involvement of the Office of Mark Henney and the Bay Area Council, as part of the foundation for deeper engagement between California and Lagos.

According to the organisers, the relationship offers opportunities across several sectors. Technology and fintech, transportation and logistics, entertainment and the creative economy, agriculture and agro-processing, renewable energy, real estate and urban development are among the areas identified for possible cooperation.

Small and medium-sized enterprises are also expected to receive considerable attention during the summit. Organisers want participating businesses to explore opportunities for accessing capital, entering new markets and developing partnerships that can support expansion on either side of the Atlantic. The programme is expected to include business-to-business matchmaking designed to connect entrepreneurs with investors and other potential partners.

California and Lagos bring different but potentially complementary economic strengths to the proposed partnership. California is one of the world's major centres for technology, venture capital, entertainment, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, while Lagos serves as Nigeria's principal commercial hub and has a large consumer market supported by a strong entrepreneurial community.

The summit's organisers believe these differences can create opportunities for collaboration rather than competition. Their objective is to encourage companies and investors to use the strengths of both markets to develop new ventures, expand existing businesses and establish stronger commercial links between Nigeria and the United States.

Beyond formal business discussions, the event will include activities aimed at strengthening the broader relationship between California, Lagos and the Nigerian diaspora. The programme is expected to feature keynote addresses, panel sessions, capital-raising discussions and networking opportunities, while a separate gala and awards programme is planned to celebrate the emerging partnership.

The organisers have also placed significant emphasis on the role of Nigerians and other Africans living in the United States. They believe diaspora professionals and entrepreneurs can help bridge gaps in expertise, capital and market access by connecting businesses in Nigeria with established networks in the American market.

Afretrade Chief Executive Officer Lekan Salaam said the summit was intended to move beyond expressions of goodwill and create practical commercial opportunities. He emphasised the importance of collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors and diaspora leaders in turning stronger relations between the two markets into tangible economic activity.

The gathering is therefore expected to serve as both a business forum and a platform for strengthening long-term economic relations. By bringing public-sector officials and private-sector stakeholders together, organisers hope to establish a more structured channel through which Lagos and California can pursue investment, trade, technology transfer and enterprise development.

With the proposed California-Lagos trade pact and sector-specific business opportunities on the agenda, the summit could provide a new platform for Nigerian and American businesses to identify areas of mutual interest and build partnerships that extend beyond the duration of the event.