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International Cooperation

The California State Transportation Agency’s international engagement efforts globally advance CalSTA's ‘Core Four’ principles of Safety, Equity, Climate Action, and Economic Prosperity.  CalSTA’s 2024 – 2026 Strategic Plan includes a strategic goal to “Expand and strengthen California’s engagement as a global leader in clean transportation by developing domestic and international partnerships that advance climate action.” 

 

Existing Agreements and Recent Engagement

 

AFRICA

2nd Annual California–Africa Climate and Economic Forum (CACEF) | April 23, 2026

CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin and his team on the San Francisco waterfront with the Bay Bridge behind them.
CalSTA Secretary Toks Omishakin accompanied by his team.

 

California hosted the 2nd Annual California–Africa Climate and Economic Forum (CACEF) during San Francisco Climate Week at the Exploratorium on Pier 15 in San Francisco. Led by California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, the forum brought together leaders from California, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to advance practical partnerships in climate action, clean transportation, trade and sustainable economic growth.

Discussions focused on turning shared priorities into investment-ready solutions, including e-mobility, sustainable aviation, port and urban transportation decarbonization, clean energy access, green trade corridors, climate-smart agriculture and climate finance. The forum was organized by CalSTA’s international team in partnership with the UC Davis Global South Center for Clean Transportation and the Bay Area Council, with participation from state leaders including California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia and California Energy Commission Chair David Hochschild.

What Leaders Said

“Today’s conversations showed the scale of opportunity between California and our African partners. As we advance Governor Newsom’s vision for a cleaner, more connected global economy, we are turning shared priorities into action — expanding trade, investing in clean energy, fostering sustainable agriculture, accelerating clean transportation and delivering real benefits for communities.”

— Toks Omishakin, California Transportation Secretary

“California, the world’s fourth-largest economy, partnering with Africa — the fastest-growing region, rich in human and natural capital — underscores the strategic importance of this collaboration for both sides. This partnership presents significant opportunities to advance climate and economic cooperation in areas such as technology and innovation, critical minerals, human capital development, sustainable transportation and clean energy.”

— H.E. Ali Mohamed, Kenya’s Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change

“The CACEF partnership is significant in that it moves us from dialogue to delivery. It brings together California’s global strengths in green technology, innovation, and venture capital with Nigeria’s fast-growing fintech sector and youthful talent, creating a high-impact ecosystem for exchange, investment, and problem-solving. More than a diplomatic engagement, this is a strategic blueprint for sub-national cooperation in climate resilience, digital infrastructure, transport, aviation, critical minerals, and emerging energy systems.”

— Dr. Omotenioye Majekodunmi, Director General, Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change

“In a world fraught with such turmoil right now, this partnership is an immensely positive story that deserves a spotlight. These African nations are stepping up to model what clean energy can do for growing economies. It’s a win-win-win, and I’m privileged to be a part of it.”

— David Hochschild, Chair, California Energy Commission

A key forum highlight was the acknowledgment of ACR 129, a California State Assembly resolution establishing a sister-state relationship between California and Lagos State, Nigeria.

The MOU between California and Nigeria is one of only two partnerships of its kind between California and a sub-Saharan African state. The agreement creates a framework for deeper cooperation between two regions linked by shared priorities and strong people-to-people ties.

The partnership is designed to expand collaboration in trade, education, transportation, climate resilience, youth opportunity and the creative economy, including music, film, fashion and digital media. It also opens the door to stronger university partnerships with institutions such as the University of Lagos and Lagos State University, connecting innovation hubs from Silicon Valley to Lagos and creative centers from Hollywood to Nollywood.

Assemblymember Matt Haney and the Lagos State delegation holding the framed, signed ACR 129 resolution at the Exploratorium.
Assemblymember Matt Haney accompanied by the Lagos State delegation from Nigeria, holding the signed Sister-State resolution, ACR 129.

 

The event showcased growing investment opportunities, emerging policies such as Kenya’s national e-mobility framework and expanding private-sector engagement across transportation, energy, and digital innovation. It builds on a historic first year of the California–Africa Climate and Economic Partnership, which formalized Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Kenya in September 2025 and Nigeria in November 2025 to advance clean transportation, climate action and economic cooperation — following a December 2024 fact-finding delegation to Nairobi, Abuja and Lagos led by CalSTA, the Bay Area Council and UC Davis.

Overall, the event reinforced California’s commitment to long-term cooperation with African nations and advanced a model of international climate partnership focused on shared priorities, economic resilience and scalable climate solutions. The partnership will continue to broaden, welcoming additional African nations into a growing network of climate and economic collaboration. A permanent Partnership Hub at UC Davis’ Global South Center advances institutional continuity, while a planned Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Transportation for Africa in Nairobi will extend this work across the continent.

Learn More

 

Ghana-California Business & Investment Roundtable with H.E. Victor Emmanuel Smith

Secretary Omishakin, Director El-Tawansy and Ambassador His Excellency Victor Emmanuel Smith
Secretary Omishakin is joined by Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy to discuss opportunities for cooperation with Ghanaian Ambassador His Excellency Victor Emmanuel Smith.

Image of Secretary Omishakin standing with Ghanaian Ambassador His Excellency Victor Emmanuel Smith Image of Secretary Toks with Ghanian Ambassador His Excellency Victor Emmanuel Smith
Secretary Omishakin and Ghanaian Ambassador His Excellency Victor Emmanuel Smith.

 

February 2026 Ghana-California Business Investor Roundtable with Ghanaian Ambassador His Excellency Victor Emmanuel Smith.

H.E. Ambassador Smith participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. The convening brought together government and business leaders, along with members of the Ghanaian diaspora from Sacramento and the Bay Area, including Caltrans Director Dina El‑Tawansy.

The roundtable focused on identifying practical avenues for partnership between Ghana and the State of California. Discussions covered opportunities in bilateral trade, investment pathways, and areas of mutually beneficial collaboration across priority sectors.

2025 California-Africa Climate and Economic Partnership

Image of large group of attendees in Kenya
California-Africa Climate and Economic Delegation meeting with Kenya President William Ruto.
Secretary Toks speaking in Kenya
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin speaking at the California-Africa Climate and Economic Delegation meeting with Kenya President William Ruto.
Image of Gov. Newsom with delegates from Kenya and Nigeria
California Governor Gavin Newsom meets with the Kenyan and Nigerian delegation in April 2025.

ASIA

China

Heavy-Duty Electric Truck Battery-Swapping Station, China
Electric truck battery-swapping station in Hainan Province, China.

 

Japan

EUROPE

 

Netherlands

 

Riding the Eurostar to Amsterdam, Holland
European High-Speed Rail services headed into Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

 

  • CalSTA 2023 Visit to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands
    • Slideshow (coming soon)

     

  • March 2024 LOI on Advanced Air Mobility Cooperation Between the State of California and the Government of Provincie Noord-Holland

 

NORTH AMERICA

 

Baja California to British Columbia Zero-Emission Freight Corridor (BC2BC)

Mexico

  • The California-Baja California Border Master Plan (BMP) Update – Coming Soon!
  • 2024 California-Mexico Border Relations Council Annual Report (including transportation updates) – Coming Soon!

 

INTERNATIONAL CONVENINGS

Climate Week New York City

MOU Signing at Climate Week, 2025   CalSTA Secretary Omishakin on a panel at the Electric Innovation Awards.   Autodesk Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Dara Treseder and Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani Sign MOU
 MOU Signing at Climate Week, 2025  CalSTA Secretary Omishakin on a panel at the Electric Innovation Awards.  Autodesk Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer Dara Treseder and Nigerian Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani Sign MOU

 

Links to Other Key Sites

Contact: International@calsta.ca.gov

International Delegations

CalSTA welcomes delegations from around the world.  We receive many requests but are not able to accommodate them all and typically require a 45-day minimum to accommodate a visit.

Schedule a Visit

To request a visit, complete the online Foreign National Screening form for each delegate. Once you have completed the online forms, please also reach out to international@calsta.ca.gov with your request. Please be sure to include the following information in your email:

  • Date(s) of the requested visit
  • A complete list of meeting participants (names, titles and organizations)
  • And the topics of interest (rail, autonomous vehicles, safety, etc.)