Trending 
The recently signed sister-state partnership between the California State Assembly, United States, through Assembly Concurrent Resolution 129 (ACR 129), and Lagos could help Nigerian tech startups access venture capital in Silicon Valley, a professor at the University of San Francisco has said.
The partnership, signed in April 2026, has the potential to shine a spotlight on the growing relationship between California and Nigeria, according to Mark Cannic, a professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of San Francisco.
“I think as much as anything, it really shines the spotlight on the importance of that potential growth in that relationship. Certainly with technology and the venture capital assets that are available here and the large, well-educated, young and growing market in Nigeria, certainly the California state government has seen that potential collaboration is very valuable for both Lagos and Nigeria, as well as California,” Cannic told News Central.
“That also opens the door for perhaps some sponsorship again for whether that be some types of flow of people and capital between these two entities, and hopefully this will be a good start of that.”
The professor made the remarks during the second leg of the Foreign Press Centre Media Co-op Tour in California, which is exploring how West Africa’s emerging tech ecosystem can tap directly into Silicon Valley, the world’s premier technology headquarters.
From Lagos to Silicon Valley, new opportunities are emerging for Nigerian startups. Experts say stronger links with San Francisco’s venture capital ecosystem could unlock funding, mentorship and global partnerships for African innovators. @sagirmohh reports. pic.twitter.com/Nvc31AGUFi
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) July 29, 2026
Cannic said venture capitalists invest in early-stage startups and work closely with entrepreneurs, making personal connections and trust critical for attracting investment.
“There’s a large geographic distance. However, certainly with modern technologies, firms from Lagos and Nigeria, more broadly in Africa, can still engage with venture capital here,” he said.
“I think a big piece of that is at least trying to establish some personal connection. And I think you’re starting that right now with this media tour that you have.”
He suggested that government-funded or local investor-funded opportunities for Nigerian startups to spend time in Silicon Valley would go a long way in enabling more investments.
News Central correspondent Sagir Ibrahim, who is on the media tour, said the sister state partnership, combined with the broader US-Nigeria commercial and investment partnership, would create a “funnel” for small tech startups in Nigeria to access venture capital.
“What this means is that with the sister state partnership in place and, of course, of the US-Nigeria commercial and investment partnership set, it means that this funnel is going to be available for small tech start-ups in Nigeria to have an opportunity for venture capitalists to come in and invest,” Ibrahim said.
“In the nearest future, probably we will be seeing states like Lagos state becoming the Silicon Valley of Nigeria.”
