By Juliet Ebirim
Lagos is set to host a major gathering of entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and business leaders from across Africa and the diaspora as the Afretrade Entrepreneur’s Festival (TAEF) 2026 holds from June 17 to 19 at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island.
Organised by Afretrade Inc., a California-based pan-African trade and investment platform, the three-day event themed “Africa’s Economic Renaissance” will bring together delegates from more than 40 countries to explore opportunities around entrepreneurship, trade, technology, investment and job creation.
The festival will feature the launch of two major initiatives; the Africa Economic Renaissance Movement and the Lagos–California Sister State Economic Corridor, aimed at strengthening collaboration between Africa and the global diaspora.
A major highlight of the opening plenary will be the presence of former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who is expected to deliver the grand opening keynote address. The former Nigerian leader and Pan-African advocate will lend his voice to discussions around economic integration, diaspora engagement and Africa’s development agenda.
Also scheduled to deliver a keynote address is The Honourable Toks Omishakin, Secretary of the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and a first-generation Nigerian American. Omishakin, who will lead the California delegation to the festival, is expected to speak on strengthening economic ties between Lagos and California, infrastructure investment and the role of the African diaspora in global partnerships.
The festival is being led by Dr. Charly Lemassi, Chief Operating Officer of Afretrade and Festival Director, who described TAEF 2026 as a platform bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, innovators and policymakers around a shared vision for Africa’s economic growth.
Other expected participants include high-level diaspora delegations and business representatives from the United States, Canada, Europe, West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean.
The programme will feature investor and entrepreneur meetings, SME pitch sessions, workshops, masterclasses, discussions on trade and technology, a youth talent competition, fashion showcase and networking sessions.
Expected to attract over 3,000 delegates, the event is positioned as one of the largest gatherings focused on diaspora investment and entrepreneurship in Africa.
