California-Africa Climate & Economic Forum

Opening Session

Welcoming remarks from California’s Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin and Director Dee Dee Myers of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, Kenya’s Special Envoy for Climate Ambassador Ali Mohamed, and Nigeria’s Director General of the National Council on Climate Change Dr. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, as well as from the Bay Area Council, UC Davis, and the Exploratorium.

Focus Session: Fostering California-Africa Aviation Connectivity with a Sustainability Focus

As Africa’s aviation connectivity grows - both regionally and intercontinentally – the continent will face a surge in aviation fuel demand that could double or even triple current consumption levels. This poses a major challenge but also offers a unique opportunity. The aviation sector’s growth may exacerbate Africa’s dependence on expensive, volatile fuel imports; however, it could also drive the development of a market for domestically produced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This focused session will take a holistic view of the SAF market, explore ways that African countries can adopt a multi-stakeholder approach to develop SAF supply chains, and identify Californian best practices in catalyzing a low carbon fuels market as a potential pathway that African peers may consider in their efforts to reduce transport sector emissions while also developing regional biofuel production capacity.

Experts from San Francisco International Airport, the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis, and other industry stakeholders will come together to highlight these opportunities and discuss ways to add SAF to the California-Africa climate conversation.

Panel Session 1: Catalyzing Economic Growth through Transport Decarbonization

As the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gases, the transport sector represents a challenge to policymakers in both the Global North and Global South who seek to meet national decarbonization goals and international commitments. This is especially true in Africa, where rapid economic and population growth is driving greater urbanization, putting pressure on regional transportation systems while compounding emissions and related climate impacts. This session will spotlight two sources of transportation emissions – urban land transport and the port/maritime sector – and explore how partnerships among governments, industry, academia, and civil society can create pathways that not only meet decarbonization goals, but also create bankable projects and new, lucrative areas of economic opportunity. 

Join David Hochschild, Chair of the California Energy Commission (CEC), along with speakers from C40 Cities, the Port of Oakland, Uber Technologies, the Institute of Transportation Studies at UC Davis, among others, to learn more!

Spotlight: Leveraging Partnerships to Deliver Strong Communities and Resilient Agriculture

Building strong communities and resilient agriculture in the face of increasing climate change impacts will require collaboration among policymakers, industry, non-profits, donors, and civil society groups. It is an enormous challenge that can only be met through thoughtful, effective partnerships. This session will explore what great partnerships look like and how they can make communities stronger and agriculture more resilient, especially for smallholder farmers whose economic futures rely on responding and adapting to climate change. Each speaker will shine a spotlight on particular examples of success, offering lessons and models that the California-Africa Partnership can use as a framework for future engagement and bilateral cooperation.

Panel Session 2: Unlocking Clean Energy Futures in California and Africa

As Africa’s economy grows, so does the demand on the continent’s energy grids and fuel supplies. While this presents a challenge to governments and industry alike, the rise of renewable and zero-emission energy generation and fuels technologies – many created here in California – offer a pathway to unlock Africa’s own vast renewable energy potential with climate-smart solutions and proven policy frameworks. CEC Commissioner Noemí Gallardo, California Public Utilities Commissioner Executive Director Leuwam Tesfai, and representatives of Hago Energetics, the Oppenheimer Project, and Beam Global will discuss California’s experience delivering a diverse range of clean energy solutions to meet the state’s needs, while exploring how these successes could be adapted in partnership with African nations to accelerate the continent’s energy transition and meet the needs of Africa’s rapidly developing economies.

Fireside Chat: Delivering on Climate Finance to Advance Economic Growth and Development Goals

California Secretary for Climate Protection Yana Garcia, United Bank for Africa (UBA) America CEO Rotimi Morohunfola, and the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Climate Rachel Kyte will come together for a fireside chat to discuss how to turn ideas into action by unlocking finance and private investment. This session will call attention to the enormous amount of private financing available to fund bankable projects, explore why African countries and industries have historically struggled to access capital, and identify solutions to overcome these barriers and accelerate two-way investment between California and the African continent. 

Closing Session

Closing remarks from Samuel Assefa, Director of the California Governor’s Office on Land Use and Climate Innovation, Assemblymembers Matt Haney and Dr. Corey A. Jackson, UC Davis Chancellor Gary May, and other distinguished speakers.