Skip to content
African-CaliforniaChamber of Commerce
San Francisco skyline and an African city skyline linked by golden trade routes

African-California Chamber of Commerce

Building the Bridge Between California and Africa

Connecting businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, institutions, and leaders to strengthen trade, investment, innovation, and economic opportunity between California and Africa.

Become a MemberBecome a Founding MemberExplore A3C

The Opportunity

Why A Chamber, and Why Now?

California and Africa hold significant commercial potential, yet the relationship remains underdeveloped and lacks a unified statewide institution focused specifically on California-Africa trade.

01

Trade momentum is building

Growing U.S.-Africa trade and investment interest under frameworks such as AGOA and its successor initiatives, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), is opening new channels for California businesses to engage the continent.

02

The infrastructure for dealmaking already exists in California

A critical mass of Africa-focused businesses, funds and founders, from the Bay Area to Los Angeles to San Diego, gives the Chamber a ready base to convene and connect to African markets.

03

California's cities want economic partnerships that produce results

Renewed civic appetite for economic development collaboration with minority and international-trade-focused business institutions creates an opening for a chamber built around trade outcomes, not just representation.

04

The position is unclaimed

No existing statewide chamber occupies this space, meaning this is the opportunity to build the founding institution for California-Africa trade, not join an existing one.

Our Mission

A unified voice for African-California commerce

  • Promote, advance and protect the trade, commerce and business interests of Californian and African entrepreneurs and businesses in California and in African nations.
  • Foster economic development, entrepreneurship and trade relationships between California and African nations.
  • Provide members with networking, mentorship, advocacy, education and business development opportunities.
  • Serve as a unified voice for its members before government, civic institutions and the broader business community in California and African nations.
Read our mission & purpose
Gold trade routes connecting the outline of California with the African continent

Strategic Pillars

Six pillars of California-Africa engagement

Trade

Facilitate bilateral trade between California and African markets.

Investment

Connect investors, businesses, funds and projects.

Entrepreneurship

Support entrepreneurs and business growth.

Technology

Promote technology transfer, innovation and digital transformation.

Advocacy

Represent members before government, civic and business institutions.

Networking

Build meaningful relationships between California and African business communities.

Limited & Time-Bound

Become a Founding Member

Help build an institution designed to strengthen California-Africa commerce for generations. Founding Membership is available only during the organizing period, before the Chamber's public launch and first annual meeting.

Founding Member ProgramApply Now
  • Recognition as a Founder in all launch materials, the Chamber's website and its official history
  • A vote in the election of the inaugural Board, with no future obligations
  • Priority invitations to all launch events, delegations and early programming
  • First access to Chamber trade missions, matchmaking and business development services
  • A non-obligatory voice in shaping the committees that will define the Chamber's direction
  • Invitation to review and help finalize the Chamber's founding Bylaws
  • Eligibility to stand for election to, or nominate candidates for, the inaugural Board of Directors
  • Public recognition as a Founder at the Chamber's official launch event and in perpetuity in its founding record

Founding Timeline

The road to launch

  1. September 25, 2026

    Founding Member selection closes; Bylaws finalized by the Organizing Committee

  2. September 28, 2026

    Founding Members ratify the Bylaws and elect the inaugural Board of Directors

  3. October 1, 2026

    Public launch event and first annual meeting; first program year begins

  4. January 1, 2027

    Program year restarts on the calendar-year cycle

Join the business network building California-Africa commerce

Membership is open to individuals, businesses and government agencies engaged in or supporting African-California trade.

Join the Business NetworkExplore Trade OpportunitiesAttend an Event