… AFRIMA, California–Lagos Summit forge strategic partnership
A new economic and cultural bridge between Africa and the United
States is set to take shape in California, United States as Lagos
State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Founder and President of the All
Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), Mike Dada, Governor of California,
Gavin Newsom, Afretrade Chief Executive Officer, Lekan Salaam, and
other prominent government, business and creative industry leaders
are expected to headline the California–Lagos Business &
Investment Summit, scheduled for September 17–18, 2026, in
Sacramento and San Francisco, California.
The high-powered two-day gathering, themed “Building the
California–Nigeria Business Bridge,” is expected to bring
together influential business leaders, investors, entrepreneurs,
policymakers, professionals and members of the African diaspora to
explore new opportunities for trade, investment and cross-border
collaboration.
The summit is a private sector-led initiative powered by Afretrade,
the US Diaspora United Chamber of Commerce, NIED Group and the
Office of Diaspora Affairs of Lagos State, and is being curated to
celebrate a landmark milestone in the growing economic relationship
between California and Lagos.
As part of the programme, AFRIMA President Mike Dada will speak on
“From Culture to Capital: Unlocking the California–Lagos
Creative Economy.” His presentation, subtitled “Investing in
Music, Film, Intellectual Property and the Future of
Africa–America Cultural Commerce,” will focus on the enormous
economic opportunities within Africa’s creative sector and the
need to develop stronger investment, intellectual property and
commercial structures around the continent’s creative assets.
The presentation is expected to examine how music, film,
entertainment and intellectual property can serve as major drivers
of economic growth while creating new channels for investment and
business partnerships between Africa and the United States.
“Africa is no longer simply a source of creative content for the
global market; Africa is a market, a talent hub and an investment
destination. The real opportunity before us is to build structures
that allow African creators to retain value from their intellectual
property while attracting the capital, technology and global
partnerships required to scale their businesses.
“AFRIMA has been at the vanguard of Africa’s music business and
economic renaissance for the past 15 years, helping to build bridges
between African creativity, enterprise and global markets. AFRIMA
perfectly aligns with the California Business and Investment Summit
as both platforms share a common vision of positioning African
businesses, talents and intellectual property for global trade
competitiveness,” Dada said.
Other speakers and participants at the summit are expected to
include Dr Charly Lemassi, Dr Badewa Adejugbe-Williams, Dr Jameine
Sanwo-Olu, Victoria Remi Nkong, President, bridgeAfric, and Rory
Douglas, CEO, Aqua Financial, and among other business and industry
leaders.
The summit will bring together CEOs, entrepreneurs, investors,
capital providers, Nigerian professionals and business owners in the
United States, members of the African diaspora, and trade and
development stakeholders.
Discussions will focus on sectors including technology and fintech,
trade and logistics, transportation, entertainment, agriculture,
renewable energy, real estate and access to capital for small and
medium-sized enterprises.
The main business programme will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm and
feature keynote addresses, high-level discussions, panel sessions,
capital-raising opportunities and business matchmaking.
An official celebration will follow at the historic Stanford
Mansion, while the Gala and Award Night will hold at the Hyatt
Regency Sacramento.
The programme will continue on Friday, September 18, with a
high-level diplomatic and business networking reception in San
Francisco.
Also read: https://brandspurng.com/2026/05/28/afrima-au-celebrate-emerging-african-talents-at-diamond-party/
In a related development, AFRIMA has entered into a strategic
partnership with the California–Lagos Business & Investment
Summit, strengthening the focus on the creative economy as an
important component of the emerging California–Nigeria business
relationship.
Speaking on the partnership, AFRIMA Regional Director Central
Africa, Nde Ndifonka, said music business development was central to
AFRIMA’s mission.
“Music business advancement is one of the core seven pillars of
AFRIMA, and that is why the AFRIMA Music Business Summit is an
integral part of the main activities of the AFRIMA Awards. Our
responsibility goes beyond celebrating artistes. We must also help
build an ecosystem where African creativity can attract investment,
create sustainable businesses and generate greater economic value.
“The California–Lagos Business & Investment Summit provides an
important platform for that objective. California is a global centre
of technology, capital and entertainment, while Lagos is one of
Africa’s leading hubs for creativity, entrepreneurship and
innovation. Connecting these ecosystems can create opportunities
across music, film, intellectual property, technology and cultural
commerce. AFRIMA is therefore pleased to partner with the Summit as
we continue to build bridges between African creative talent and the
global marketplace.”
Established in 2011 by the International Executive Committee of
AFRIMA in partnership with the African Union, with the first edition
holding in 2014, AFRIMA is the longest-running and the continent’s
most prestigious music award platform. The 10th edition is scheduled
for 2027, with build-up events labelled RoadTo10thAFRIMA already
held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire; and
Casablanca and Rabat, Morocco.
The awards have been hosted in major African cities, including
Lagos, Accra and Dakar, and are broadcast live in more than 84
countries, reaching millions of viewers worldwide.
The AFRIMA Music Business Summit, which brings together music
executives, artistes, policymakers, investors and other industry
stakeholders to address the commercial development of Africa’s
music industry is one of the Seven Pillars of AFRIMA.
Others Music Awards, which recognise Africa’s finest musical
talents; Music Festivals, which celebrate the continent’s cultural
diversity through live performances; AFRIMA Kreative Academy (TAKA),
which develops young creative professionals through training and
mentorship; Talent Discovery and Promotion, which identifies and
supports emerging artists; Advisory and Policy Debates, which engage
stakeholders on copyright, regulation and creative-industry
policies; and Advocacy, which uses music to promote peace, social
responsibility and the growth of Africa’s creative economy.
