Friday · October 23
Parti Gras in Paris
Where the Spirit of Louisiana Mardi Gras Meets Global Leadership.Starts at 9:00 PM.Explore Parti Gras in Paris ↗
LOUISIANA. AFRICA. LATIN AMERICA. THE CARIBBEAN.
Louisiana Leadership Meets Africa in Paris
FOUNDING PARTNER · AFRICAN ENERGY CHAMBER
October 23–25, 2026 · Paris, France
Culture creates connection.
The MissionLed by Louisiana elected officials, the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange brings Louisiana leaders, institutions, businesses, and investors into direct, two-way engagement with counterparts across Africa, Latin America, and the Wider Caribbean. Louisiana’s cultural connections provide the foundation for dialogue around commerce, investment, industry, and institutional cooperation.
The VisionTo establish Louisiana as the North American capital of Africa’s Sixth Region.
2026 LGLE
Louisiana City of Cultural Distinction
New Orleans
The City of New Orleans will be formally recognized at the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange in Paris for its global cultural influence. New Orleans’ enduring legacy continues to shape Louisiana through music, cuisine, history, creativity, and cultural exchange.
THE GUEST OF HONOR
The Honorable Helena Moreno
Mayor, City of New Orleans
The Honorable Helena Moreno will join the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange in Paris as New Orleans receives the 2026 LGLE Louisiana City of Cultural Distinction recognition.
Official City Profile ↗2026 LGLE
LGLE City of Francophone Distinction
Lafayette
Lafayette will be recognized for its enduring role at the center of Louisiana’s Francophone identity and for carrying Cajun, Creole, and Acadian culture into contemporary civic, cultural, and international life.
Guest of Honor
The Honorable Monique B. Boulet
Mayor-President, Lafayette Consolidated Government
Mayor-President Boulet will join the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange in Paris as Lafayette receives the 2026 LGLE City of Francophone Distinction recognition.
Official Mayor-President Profile ↗NFL INTERNATIONAL GAME WEEKEND
New Orleans Saints vs. Pittsburgh Steelers ↗
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Stade de France · Paris
The New Orleans Saints will take the international stage in Paris during the same weekend as the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange.
Nigerian superstar Burna Boy will headline the game’s halftime show.
October 23–25, 2026
The Paris Weekend
Paris Marriott Opera Ambassador Hotel
Louisiana Leadership
Leading the Exchange.
The Honorable Regina Ashford Barrow
Chief Senate Pro Tem Ambassador
President Pro Tempore, Louisiana State Senate
The Honorable Edward J. “Ed” Price
Chief Regional Ambassador
State Senator, District 2, Louisiana State Senate
The Honorable Jeremy P. Stine
Chief Francophonie Ambassador
State Senator, District 27, Louisiana State Senate
The Honorable Troy Jude Hebert
Regional Ambassador
State Representative, District 31, Louisiana House of Representatives
The Honorable Lady Fontenette Brown
Chief Cultural Ambassador
Councilwoman, District 12, Iberia Parish Council
Ryan K. Haynie
Chief Business Ambassador
Calvin Mills Jr.
Chief Innovation Ambassador
Working Areas
Where conversations begin.
Energy & PowerMaritime & Blue EconomyAgriculture & TradeTechnology & Digital InfrastructureFinance & InvestmentCulture, Tourism, and Creative Sector (including Sports)
International Participation
Leadership at the table.
Ghana · Comoros · Sierra Leone · Nigeria · Togo · Chad · Senegal · Liberia · Ecuador · Martinique
Confirmed Diplomatic & International Participation
H.E. Mavis Ama Frimpong
Ambassador of Ghana to France
GhanaH.E. Dr. Kassim Soiyir Mohamed Bajrafil
Ambassador of the Union of the Comoros to UNESCO
Union of the ComorosH.E. Mohamed Kanja Sesay
Ambassador of Sierra Leone to France
Sierra LeoneH.E. Ana María Pesantes
Ambassador of Ecuador to France
EcuadorMr. Fehintola Adebowale
Head, Economic, Trade, and Investment
Embassy of Nigeria in ParisMr. Senve Darlington Tehmeh
Minister-Counselor for Public Diplomacy
Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in FranceMr. Djamal Ahmat Kogri
First Counselor
Embassy of Chad in FranceMr. Nikoé Vidégla
Second Secretary and Chief of Staff
Embassy of Togo in FranceMr. Mor Talla Niang
Economic Counselor / Economic Office
Embassy of Senegal in FranceHon. Simi Okuwobi
Consultant to the Governor of Ogun State
NigeriaMr. Manuel Pamphile
Officer for National and European Affairs
Collectivité Territoriale de MartiniqueBusiness & Industry Leadership
Confirmed leaders bringing capital, industry expertise and market access to the Exchange.
Energy · Finance · Investment · Agriculture · Infrastructure · Technology · Manufacturing · International Trade
Steve Fogue
CEO, Nomaban
Cameroon · Pan-AfricaCompliant cross-border business payments for regulated currency markets
Bintou Kaboré Zerbo
Executive Director · Institutional Investor Network
United States · AfricaInstitutional Investment · Capital Markets · Africa
Tamara Maxwell
Export-Import Bank of the United States
United StatesExport Finance · Small Business · International Trade
Hamada Touré
Founder & Managing Partner · Joliba Capital
Francophone West & Central AfricaPrivate Equity · Growth Capital · Investment
Jesica Kincaid
USA Rice
United StatesAgriculture · International Trade · Global Markets
Ope Osinubi
Project Development & Finance Attorney
United Kingdom · Pan-AfricaInfrastructure · Energy · Project Finance · Investment
Engr. Morenikeji Ayodele Aniye
Founder & CEO · Hotspot Network Limited
NigeriaTelecommunications · Digital Infrastructure
NJ Ayuk
Executive Chairman · African Energy Chamber
Cameroon · Pan-AfricaEnergy · Investment · Industrial DevelopmentAdditional Confirmed Leaders
Amadou Gagny Lah
President & CEOGalya Group
Mali · Pan-AfricaAgribusiness · Infrastructure · Energy · Construction
Dr. Wahid Awad, Ph.D., MBA
Founder & CEORosetta Omics
Egypt · France · InternationalBiotechnology · Healthcare · Precision Oncology
Olawale Rotimi Opeyemi
Founder & Chief ExecutiveJR Farms Group
Nigeria · Pan-AfricaAgribusiness · Food Diplomacy · International Business
Obinna Nkwoji
MD/CEOMikko Plastics Industries
NigeriaManufacturing
Hon. Engr. Olusola Olofin
FounderAquasilica Limited
NigeriaExploration · Mining · Commodity Distribution
Makesha Judson
Lead, Government Relations & Public AffairsVale USA, LLC
Louisiana · United StatesGovernment Relations · Public Affairs · Industry · International BusinessFounding Partner
African Energy Chamber
The African Energy Chamber is a proud Founding Partner of the Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange, supporting our mission to build lasting partnerships between Louisiana, Africa, and the global diaspora through leadership, energy, and economic collaboration.
Institutions Engaged.
Paris Travel
Plan Your Stay in Paris
Preferred hotel options are available for LGLE participants traveling to Paris.
Reserve Your HotelBeyond Paris
Paris is the beginning of the conversation—not the end of it.
LGLE is designed to support continued relationships, institutional dialogue, commercial connections, and future exchanges between Louisiana and participating international partners.
Join the Exchange
A curated gathering of public officials, diplomats, institutions, and business leaders advancing relationships between Louisiana and Africa, with expanding connections across Latin America and the Wider Caribbean.