The California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit, a private sector-led initiative aimed at strengthening trade, investment and enterprise ties between California and Lagos State, is scheduled to hold from September 17, 2026.

The two-day summit, themed “Building the California–Nigeria Business Bridge,” is powered by Afretrade, the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NIED Group and the Office of Diaspora Affairs of Lagos State.

The organisers said the summit would bring together government representatives, business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, Nigerian professionals in the United States, members of the African diaspora and other stakeholders interested in advancing economic cooperation between California, Lagos and Nigeria.

The event will feature keynote addresses, high-level discussions, panel sessions, capital-raising engagements and business matchmaking sessions, with activities scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

According to the organisers, the summit is designed to celebrate a landmark milestone in the economic relationship between California and Lagos while creating opportunities for sustained commercial and diplomatic engagement.

The official celebration will take place at the historic Stanford Mansion, with representatives of California and Lagos State as well as members of the business community expected to attend.

The organisers said a gala and award night would also be held at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento, featuring cultural performances and other activities to commemorate the occasion.

The celebration will continue on Friday in San Francisco with a high-level diplomatic and business networking reception organised in collaboration with representatives of Lagos State.

The organisers said the reception would provide an opportunity to extend the summit’s engagements beyond the formal celebrations and promote long-term commercial and diplomatic relationships.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of Afretrade, Mr Lekan Salaam, said the summit was designed to promote collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors and members of the diaspora.

“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.

The summit will also highlight the economic opportunities presented by the two markets, with California described by the organisers as the world’s fourth-largest economy, with a gross domestic product of approximately $4.1 trillion.

California is a major global centre for technology, venture capital, entertainment, agriculture and advanced manufacturing, while Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of Africa’s largest and most entrepreneurial urban economies.

The organisers said the economic and demographic characteristics of both markets offered opportunities for greater collaboration in technology and fintech, trade, logistics and transportation infrastructure, creative and entertainment industries, agriculture and agro-processing, renewable energy, real estate and urban development.

They added that the summit would also focus on improving access to capital for small and medium-sized enterprises and creating market-entry opportunities for businesses operating in both regions.

According to the organisers, the summit is structured to move beyond discussions by facilitating concrete partnerships, investment opportunities and business relationships between companies and investors in California, Lagos, Nigeria and the wider African diaspora.

Afretrade is a private-sector platform focused on promoting trade, investment and enterprise among African and diaspora business communities.

The summit is being organised in partnership with the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NIED Group and the Office of Diaspora Affairs of Lagos State.