Friday · October 23
LOUISIANA. AFRICA. LATIN AMERICA. THE CARIBBEAN.
Louisiana Leadership Meets Africa in Paris
Led by Louisiana Elected Officials
October 23–25, 2026 · Paris, France
Culture creates connection.
The Louisiana Global Leadership Exchange is designed to strengthen Louisiana’s cultural connections with African leaders and institutions, while expanding relationships across Latin America and the Caribbean.
It is designed to position cultural connections for global opportunity.
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 ↗
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.
Senator Edward J. “Ed” Price
Chief Regional Ambassador
Senator Jeremy Stine
Chief Francophonie Ambassador
Representative Troy Jude Hebert
LGLE Regional Ambassador
Councilwoman Lady Fontenette Brown
Chief Cultural Ambassador
Ryan K. Haynie
Chief Business Ambassador
Calvin Mills Jr.
2026 LGLE Technology Ambassador
Working Areas
Where conversations begin.
Energy & PowerMaritime & Blue EconomyAgriculture & TradeTechnology & Digital InfrastructureFinance & InvestmentCulture & Tourism
International Participation
Leadership at the table.
Nigeria · Togo · Chad · Senegal · Liberia · Ecuador · Martinique
Confirmed Diplomatic & International Participation
H.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 BusinessInstitutional Partners
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.