By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – California and Lagos State are set to deepen economic and investment ties as the Afretrade, the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NIED Group and the Office of Diaspora Affairs of Lagos State convene the California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit in Sacramento, California.
The summit, themed “Building the California–Nigeria Business Bridge,” is expected to bring together Nigerian professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, members of the African diaspora and the wider global business community to explore opportunities for stronger commercial and investment relations between Nigeria and the United States.
According to the organisers, a major highlight of the summit will be the signing of a trade pact between California and Lagos State, to be led by the governors of both states, who are expected to be present at the event.
The organisers described the agreement as a significant milestone in business diplomacy, saying it demonstrates the commitment of both governments to promoting stronger business relations, trade and investment between California and Lagos.
The statement noted that California, with an annual Gross Domestic Product of about $4.2 trillion, and Lagos State, with a reported GDP of ₦62.66 trillion, occupy important positions in their respective economies and could benefit significantly from increased commercial cooperation.
The summit will also celebrate what the organisers described as a milestone achieved 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.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Chief Executive Officer of Afretrade, Mr. Lekan Salaam, said Africa’s economic transformation would require unity, collaboration and mutually beneficial partnerships.
“Africa’s economy will only thrive through love, unity of purpose, and collaboration without subordination,” Salaam said.
He added that the summit was designed to place entrepreneurs, investors and diaspora leaders at the centre of efforts to transform goodwill and international relationships into concrete business opportunities.
“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,” he said.
The two-day summit, scheduled for September 17 and 18 in Sacramento, will feature keynote addresses, high-level dialogues, panel discussions, capital-raising sessions and business matchmaking opportunities.
The business sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the official celebration scheduled to take place at the historic Stanford Mansion.
The organisers said a Gala and Award Night would also be held at the prestigious Hyatt Regency Sacramento, featuring cultural performances and other activities to commemorate the partnership and recognise individuals and organisations contributing to stronger California–Nigeria relations.
The celebration will continue on Friday in San Francisco, where a high-level diplomatic and business networking reception will be hosted in collaboration with representatives of Lagos State.
The San Francisco engagement is expected to provide another platform for investors, business leaders, government representatives and diaspora stakeholders to deepen discussions and translate the summit’s outcomes into sustained commercial and diplomatic engagement.
The organisers expressed optimism that the California–Lagos initiative would help create new avenues for investment, entrepreneurship, trade and strategic cooperation while strengthening the economic bridge between California, Lagos and the broader Nigerian and African business communities.
