Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, California Governor Gavin Newsom, AFRIMA Founder Mike Dada and Afretrade Chief Executive Lekan Salaam are expected to headline the California-Lagos Business and Investment Summit scheduled for September 17 and 18, 2026.
The two-day event in Sacramento and San Francisco will focus on building stronger commercial links between California and Nigeria.
Organizers said the summit would bring together investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, professionals and members of the African diaspora to explore opportunities in technology, fintech, logistics, transportation, entertainment, agriculture, renewable energy, real estate and SME financing.
The event is being organized by Afretrade, the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NIED Group and the Lagos State Office of Diaspora Affairs.
Dada is expected to speak on converting African cultural influence into investable creative-economy opportunities, including music, film and intellectual property.
He said African creators needed structures that allowed them to retain more value from their work while attracting global capital and technology.
The summit will include keynote addresses, panel sessions, business matchmaking and capital-raising engagements, followed by official receptions and an awards event.
AFRIMA has also entered a strategic partnership with the summit, placing creative-industry investment among its central themes.
AFRIMA Regional Director for Central Africa Nde Ndifonka said the partnership could connect California’s capital and technology ecosystem with Lagos’ creative and entrepreneurial base.
The summit is expected to continue in San Francisco on September 18 with a diplomatic and business networking reception.
