{"id":80211,"date":"2026-04-23T21:55:45","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T04:55:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=80211"},"modified":"2026-04-23T21:55:45","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T04:55:45","slug":"2026-california-africa-climate-and-economic-forum-in-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=80211","title":{"rendered":"2026 California-Africa Climate and Economic Forum in San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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What you need to know:\u00a0California joined with African and state leaders during San Francisco Climate Week to accelerate partnerships on clean transportation, energy and economic development \u2013 strengthening global collaboration on climate solutions.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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SAN FRANCISCO<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 During San Francisco Climate Week, California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin brought together state of California climate officials, along with international dignitaries and external partners for the 2nd Annual California-Africa Climate and Economic Forum (CACEF) at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.<\/p>\n

The forum included representatives from Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to deepen collaboration on climate action, clean transportation and sustainable economic growth \u2013 areas critical to both regions\u2019 futures.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s conversations showed the scale of opportunity between California and our African partners,\u201d\u00a0said Secretary Omishakin. \u201cAs we advance Governor Newsom\u2019s vision for a cleaner, more connected global economy, we are turning shared priorities into action \u2013 expanding trade, investing in clean energy, fostering sustainable agriculture, accelerating clean transportation and delivering real benefits for communities.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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The program featured keynote remarks from global and state leaders, including Kenya\u2019s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change Ambassador Ali Mohamed; Nigeria\u2019s Director General of the National Council on Climate Change, Dr. Omotenioye Majekodunmi; and Secretary Omishakin, alongside leaders from academia and industry.<\/p>\n

What They’re Saying:<\/p>\n

\u201cCalifornia, the world’s fourth-largest economy, partnering with Africa \u2013 the fastest-growing region, rich in human and natural capital \u2013 underscores the strategic importance of this collaboration for both sides,\u00a0said H. E. Ali Mohamed, Kenya Special Envoy for Climate Change.\u00a0<\/a>\u201c<\/a>This partnership presents significant opportunities to advance climate and economic cooperation in areas such as technology and innovation, critical minerals, human capital development, sustainable transportation and clean energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe CACEF partnership is significant in that it moves us from dialogue to delivery,\u201d\u00a0said Dr. Omotenioe Majekodunmi, Director General of Nigeria\u2019s National Council on Climate Change.\u00a0\u201cIt brings together California\u2019s global strengths in green technology, innovation, and venture capital with Nigeria\u2019s fast-growing fintech sector and youthful talent, creating a high-impact ecosystem for exchange, investment, and problem-solving. More than a diplomatic engagement, this is a strategic blueprint for sub-national cooperation in climate resilience, digital infrastructure, transport, aviation, critical minerals, and emerging energy systems. It is through partnerships like this that we can drive mutual economic prosperity and build a stronger transatlantic corridor for trade, innovation, and sustainable growth\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a world that is exposed to climatic degradation\u00a0California and Africa are forging a \u2018blueprint for a new model of international climate cooperation,\u2019 moving beyond traditional aid toward a high-impact economic partnership which we hope will lay the bulwalk for safeguarding the world now, and for future generations,\u201d\u00a0said Dr. Gokum E. Richard, CEO of Veritas University Endowment Foundation.<\/p>\n

“Strengthening partnerships between the State of California and African nations is critical to developing innovative solutions to global climate and economic challenges,”\u00a0said Sam Assefa, Director of the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation.\u00a0“It’s never been more important to work together – across borders and oceans – to build a collective future where economic opportunity and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.”<\/p>\n

\u201cIn a world fraught with such turmoil right now, this partnership is an immensely positive story that deserves a spotlight,\u201d\u00a0said David Hochschild, Chair of the California Energy Commission.\u00a0\u201cThese African nations are stepping up to model what clean energy can do for growing economies. The discussions happening today, and in the years to come, will trigger California innovation, economic opportunity and prosperity in Africa, and emissions reductions around the world. It\u2019s a win-win-win, and I\u2019m privileged to be a part of it.\u201d<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n\n
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Throughout the day, sessions focused on actionable pathways to strengthen California-Africa partnerships across key sectors. Discussions explored expanding sustainable aviation connectivity, accelerating transportation decarbonization across ports and urban systems, advancing clean energy solutions and unlocking climate finance to support long-term economic growth.<\/p>\n

Panelists and speakers, including representatives from the Governor\u2019s Office of Business and Economic Development, the California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, University of California, Davis and international partners \u2013 highlighted the importance of aligning innovation, investment and policy to deliver scalable climate solutions.<\/p>\n

The forum was organized by the California State Transportation Agency\u2019s international team, in partnership with the UC Davis Institute of Transportation Studies\u2019 Center for the Global South and the Bay Area Council \u2013 laying the groundwork for continued collaboration and future trade delegations.\u00a0Leaders from the state of California participated throughout the forum \u2013 reinforcing California\u2019s commitment to strengthening international partnerships that advance climate action and economic opportunity.<\/a><\/p>\n

Advancing Partnerships Through Action<\/p>\n

California has formalized international collaboration through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with African partners, including\u00a0Kenya<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Nigeria<\/a>, to advance clean transportation, climate action and economic cooperation.<\/p>\n

These agreements establish a framework for collaboration in key areas such as zero-emission transportation, sustainable freight, clean energy innovation and resilient infrastructure. They also support knowledge exchange, workforce development and expanded trade opportunities across regions.<\/p>\n

Learn more about CalSTA\u2019s international partnerships and initiatives at\u00a0https:\/\/calsta.ca.gov\/subject-areas\/international<\/a><\/p>\n

The California-Africa Climate and Economic Forum builds on this foundation \u2013 strengthening these partnerships while identifying new opportunities to translate commitments into action and deliver shared economic and climate benefits.<\/p>\n

Africa is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, projected to account for one in four people globally by 2050. Its growing economic and geopolitical influence, including the African Union\u2019s permanent membership in the G20, positions the continent as a critical partner in advancing global climate and economic priorities.\u00a0In 2022, California exported nearly $800 million in goods to African markets,<\/a>\u00a0<\/a>underscoring the opportunity to expand mutually beneficial trade relationships.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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