Mr. Lekan Salaam, CEO Of NIED Group
Lagos and California are set to deepen economic and investment ties as business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs and government representatives converge in California for the maiden California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit, aimed at building a stronger transatlantic business corridor.
The two-day summit, themed “Building the California–Nigeria Business Bridge,” is scheduled for September 17 and 18, 2026, and is expected to attract key players from the private sector, government and the African diaspora.
A major highlight of the summit will be the signing of a trade pact between California and Lagos State, with the governors of the two jurisdictions expected to lead the signing.
The organisers described the proposed agreement as a major milestone in business diplomacy, saying it would provide a framework for stronger trade, investment and commercial relationships between the two economic centres.
The summit is being powered by Afretrade Inc., the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NIED Group and the Office of Diaspora Affairs of Lagos State.
Chief Executive Officer of Afretrade, Lekan Salaam, said the initiative was designed to move economic relations beyond government-to-government engagements by placing entrepreneurs, investors and businesses at the centre of the relationship.
“Africa’s economy will only thrive through love, unity of purpose, and collaboration without subordination,” Salaam said.
He added that the summit would provide a platform for entrepreneurs, investors and diaspora leaders to transform goodwill into concrete commercial opportunities.
The organisers said the economic strength of California and Lagos presents enormous opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships.
California, with a gross domestic product of more than $4 trillion, is a global powerhouse in technology, venture capital, entertainment, agriculture and advanced manufacturing.
Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital and one of Africa’s leading business centres, has a large youthful population and a rapidly expanding entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The summit will focus on sectors including technology and fintech, trade and logistics, transportation infrastructure, entertainment and the creative economy, agriculture and agri-processing, renewable energy, real estate and urban development, and financing for small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to the organisers, the objective is to translate the economic similarities and complementary strengths of both markets into actual investments, business partnerships and opportunities for companies seeking to enter either market.
The summit will feature keynote addresses, high-level government and business dialogues, panel discussions, capital-raising sessions and business matchmaking.
Activities will run from 9am to 5pm, with the official celebration scheduled to take place at the historic Stanford Mansion, where representatives of California, Lagos State and the business community are expected to gather.
A gala and award night will follow at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, featuring cultural performances and other activities to commemorate the partnership.
The celebration will then move to San Francisco, where a high-level diplomatic and business networking reception will be held alongside representatives of Lagos State.
Expected participants include CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors, 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.
The organisers said the summit represents an opportunity to transform the growing relationship between California and Lagos into sustained trade, investment, innovation and commercial partnerships, with the private sector expected to play a leading role in driving the new business bridge.