GLOBAL ALLIANCES: Building Bridges Through Business, Culture and Investment
Africa, the Caribbean and America Meet in New Orleans to Build New Bridges in Investment, Tourism, Culture and the Creative Economy
New Orleans has long been a meeting place of cultures, music and ideas. That tradition took on an international business dimension as leaders from Africa, the Caribbean and the United States gathered for the Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA) — Americas Edition, held alongside the International Arts Festival: NOLA.
The gathering represented the first U.S. edition of TIFA and brought together government officials, investors, bankers, tourism executives, filmmakers, cultural leaders, academics and entrepreneurs. The objective extended beyond networking. TIFA was designed to connect African destinations and projects with investors, companies and institutions capable of developing long-term commercial relationships.
The theme, “Global Shifts. African Momentum.”, reflected a changing international landscape in which Africa’s tourism, creative industries, infrastructure, technology and cultural assets are increasingly part of conversations about global investment.
Perhaps the most important story emerging from New Orleans was not about any single participant. It was about alliances.
Global Leaders at One Table
Among the leaders participating was Miller Matola, CEO of Millvest Advisory of South Africa, who joined Ernest Kelly, Chairman of the International Arts Foundation, in opening the forum and helping establish the international framework for the discussions that followed.
Lavaille Lavette, Managing Partner of One Street Studios/JVL Productions, participated in discussions surrounding the financing of the new storytelling economy. Her work represents the growing intersection of entertainment, investment and African storytelling.
Naledi Khabo, CEO of the Africa Tourism Association, brought another important perspective to discussions involving tourism, creative industries, trade and emerging investment opportunities.
From Kenya, Samantha Muna, Managing Director of Trianum Hospitality, represented East Africa’s hospitality and investment sectors while also contributing to conversations about how film, festivals, meetings and entertainment can stimulate tourism.
Diplomatic representation included Ambassador Thabo Thage, Deputy Head of Mission at the South African Embassy in Washington, D.C., underscoring the broader importance of strengthening economic relationships between Africa and the United States.
The Caribbean was strongly represented as well. G.P. Ian Gooding-Edghill, Barbados’ Minister of Tourism and International Transport, addressed opportunities for Caribbean–Africa tourism and shared prosperity.
Andrew Swaby, Mayor of Kingston, Jamaica, added a municipal perspective to the conversation, demonstrating the potential for cities across Africa, the Caribbean and the United States to develop cultural and economic partnerships.
New Orleans itself played an important role. Deputy Mayor Renee Lapeyrolerie welcomed the international delegation, while Alana Harris, Deputy Director of Tourism, Arts & Culture in the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy, participated in the gathering.
Investment Meets Opportunity
Investment and access to capital were among the central subjects of TIFA.
Michael Summers, Portfolio Specialist with T. Rowe Price Investment Services, addressed how American capital approaches emerging markets and Africa.
Robert Hopkins, Vice President of Whitney Bank, participated in conversations involving infrastructure and investment.
Other business and investment leaders included Dr. Komi Klu, Chairman of WAFI Capital; Cesar Trabanco of Global Chamber; Troy Henry of Henry Consulting; and Martin Paulsen, CEO of GEM Water Management Solutions.
Together, these voices represented an important evolution in the international conversation surrounding Africa.
For decades, discussions about Africa and the West have frequently centered on aid and development assistance. TIFA presented another model—one emphasizing investment, entrepreneurship, ownership, tourism, trade and mutually beneficial partnerships.
The Creative Economy Takes Center Stage
Film, television, music and media were not treated simply as entertainment. They were presented as industries capable of creating employment, tourism, investment and international commerce.
Elon Johnson, Vice President of Current Programming at Tyler Perry Studios Production, participated in discussions examining production development and the factors that influence where film and television projects are made.
Other entertainment and media participants included Hashim Williams, Senior Creative Executive at Amazon; Loren Hammond, Development Head at Times Studio; and Lihle Mtshali of OkayAfrica, who moderated a discussion on financing the new storytelling economy.
Miles Mussenden, actor, filmmaker and entrepreneur, brought the independent filmmaking perspective to TIFA through the presentation of the feature film Homage.
Carolyn Carew, Executive Producer, multiple award-winning producer who film was South Africa’s Submission to the 96th Academy Awards, Music is My Life- Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. She is a member of the Producer Guild of America. She interviewed Miles Mussenden on his directorial debut and spoke on the panel on film and festivals driving tourism.
Additional discussions brought together Brendan McCaffrey, CEO of IPX Exchange; Lenny Alsfeld, Managing Director and Senior Vice President–Investments with AGESS Wealth Advisors of Raymond James; Eusi Skeete of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.; and media entrepreneur Shani Kulture.
The diversity of those participants illustrated one of TIFA’s strongest messages: a successful creative economy requires more than artists. It requires financiers, distributors, tourism organizations, governments, technology, infrastructure and international partnerships.
Investing in Heritage
Cultural heritage also became part of the investment conversation.
Participants included Doudou Dia, Executive Director of the Centre for Democratic Development & Culture on Gorée Island, Senegal; Dr. Hilton Fisher, CEO of Freedom Park in South Africa; Kwabena Ababio Owusu, Head of Culture & Heritage for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly in Ghana; Winile Mntungwa of Durban Tourism; and Dr. Clyde C. Robertson of Southern University at New Orleans.
Their participation raised an important question: How can nations preserve their history while also using cultural heritage to create sustainable tourism and economic opportunities for local communities?
That conversation is particularly significant for Africa and its diaspora, where historic sites, music, food, art and traditions represent not only cultural treasures but potentially powerful engines for tourism.
Building an Africa–Caribbean–America Corridor
One of the most intriguing possibilities emerging from TIFA was the development of stronger relationships connecting Africa, the Caribbean and the United States.
Lady Fontenette Brown, Iberia Parish Councilwoman and Chief Cultural Ambassador of the Global Leadership Exchange, addressed strengthening the Louisiana–Africa corridor through partnership, investment and global leadership.
The presence of representatives from South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Barbados, Jamaica and the United States demonstrated how such a corridor could extend far beyond Louisiana.
It could connect destinations, businesses, universities, filmmakers, investors, cultural institutions and entrepreneurs across continents.
Culture as International Currency
The International Arts Festival held alongside TIFA reinforced that connection.
International and American performers included Nigeria’s Seun Kuti, son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti; Grammy Award-winning vocalist Regina Belle; British guitarist Peter White; saxophonists Vincent Ingala, Michael Lington and Paul Taylor; and New Orleans musicians including Donald Harrison, Irvin Mayfield and Corey Henry & The Treme Funktet.
Their presence demonstrated something that New Orleans has understood for generations: culture has economic value.
Music brings visitors. Film introduces audiences to destinations. Festivals fill hotels and restaurants. Heritage attracts travelers. And storytelling can introduce one culture to millions of people who may eventually want to experience that culture for themselves.
From Introductions to Alliances
The true measure of TIFA New Orleans will not be determined by the number of people who attended.
It will be determined by what happens next.
A business card exchanged in New Orleans could lead to an investment meeting in Johannesburg.
A conversation between a filmmaker and financier could become an international production.
A meeting involving tourism leaders could result in new travel opportunities connecting American travelers with destinations across Africa and the Caribbean.
A university introduction could develop into an educational exchange.
And a conversation among entrepreneurs could become a company employing people on more than one continent.
That is the power of bringing people together.
Global alliances rarely begin with signed contracts. They often begin with a conversation between two people who previously had no reason or opportunity to meet.
For four days in New Orleans, leaders from different countries, professions and cultures were given that opportunity.
Now comes the most important part: transforming introductions into relationships, relationships into partnerships, and partnerships into sustainable economic opportunities.
TIFA New Orleans demonstrated that Africa, the Caribbean and the United States do not simply share history and culture. They also have an opportunity to share investment, innovation and economic growth.
And perhaps that is the most important global alliance of all.
Photo Credit by Deb Haytor
