San Francisco Hosts Lagos State Delegation for Strategic Tourism and Entertainment Partnership

San Francisco Hosts Lagos State Delegation for Strategic Tourism and Entertainment Partnership

San Francisco, CA – In a significant move towards fostering global collaborations in tourism, entertainment, and technology, the Mayor of San Francisco, Daniel Lurie, alongside key city officials, hosted a high-profile delegation from the Lagos State Government at the City Hall of San Francisco on Friday, February 14, 2025.

The delegation, led by Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, also included Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, and Commissioner for Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr. Olatubosun Alake. The meeting focused on establishing a sister-city relationship between Lagos and San Francisco to strengthen cultural ties, explore business opportunities, and enhance the creative and entertainment industries of both cities.

Key stakeholders present at the event included representatives from the San Francisco Entertainment Commission and the San Francisco Film Commission, as well as executives from Empire Publishing, led by its renowned CEO, Ghazi Shami. Discussions revolved around leveraging San Francisco’s thriving entertainment and technology ecosystem to support the growth of Lagos' creative sector, particularly its music and film industries.

During the deliberations, Mayor Daniel Lurie emphasized San Francisco’s commitment to fostering international partnerships that drive innovation and economic growth. “San Francisco is a city that thrives on creativity and innovation, and we recognize Lagos as a leading hub for entertainment and technology in Africa. This collaboration presents an opportunity to share knowledge, attract investments, and build a mutually beneficial relationship,” he stated.

Commissioner Toke Benson-Awoyinka, representing Lagos State, highlighted the potential of this partnership in transforming Lagos’ entertainment landscape. “Lagos is home to a dynamic creative industry, from Nollywood to Afrobeats, and this alliance with San Francisco will provide invaluable exposure, funding opportunities, and technological advancements that will propel our creative economy to new heights,” she remarked.

In addition, Commissioner Olatubosun Alake underscored the role of technology in enhancing creative outputs and maximizing digital distribution channels for Lagos-based artists and filmmakers. Commissioner Oluwaseun Osiyemi also pointed out the importance of efficient transportation systems in supporting a robust entertainment sector, noting that Lagos is keen on learning from San Francisco’s advanced mobility infrastructure.

The management team of Empire Publishing, led by Ghazi Shami, expressed enthusiasm about deepening collaborations with Lagos' creative community. With Lagos being a global powerhouse for Afrobeats and Nollywood, Shami affirmed that his organization is keen on fostering partnerships that will enable African artists to reach wider audiences through strategic global distribution networks.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to set up a working committee that will develop a structured framework for future engagements. Both cities anticipate joint projects, exchange programs, and investment opportunities that will solidify their partnership and contribute to the growth of their respective creative industries.

This initiative signals a new era of cross-continental collaboration, positioning Lagos and San Francisco as leading players in the global entertainment and cultural exchange landscape.