Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), continues to redefine leadership and excellence on the global stage. A trailblazing Nigerian economist with decades of influence in international development, economic policy, and finance, she made history in March 2021 when she became the first woman and the first African to head the WTO. Her dynamic leadership and innovative approach have earned her a revered place among the most influential women of African descent in the world.
Born in Nigeria and educated at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Okonjo-Iweala’s rise to prominence is built on an extraordinary legacy of public service and global impact. She has served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister—first under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003 to 2006 and again under President Goodluck Jonathan from 2011 to 2015, during which she also held the post of Coordinating Minister for the Economy. Her brief appointment as Foreign Minister in 2006 made her the first woman to hold the role in Nigeria.
As Finance Minister, she spearheaded transformative reforms in public finance and governance. One of her most notable achievements was negotiating a historic $30 billion debt relief deal with the Paris Club, a move that helped reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory. She also introduced systems for fiscal transparency, launched the Treasury Single Account, and established the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Corporation to improve housing finance.
Before her ministerial appointments, Okonjo-Iweala spent 25 years at the World Bank, rising to the role of Managing Director of Operations—the second-highest position in the institution. There, she oversaw an $81 billion portfolio across Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia. Her leadership was crucial during global economic crises, particularly during the 2008 financial downturn, where she led the Bank’s efforts to support struggling economies and low-income countries. She also led the 2010 replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA), raising a record $49.3 billion to support the world’s poorest nations.
Her dedication to global development extends beyond formal positions. Okonjo-Iweala co-founded NOI-Polls, Nigeria’s first indigenous opinion-research organization, and the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa, a policy think tank committed to African economic research. She has served on the boards of prominent institutions including the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate (as Co-Chair), the Brookings Institution, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (as Chair from 2016 to 2020), and Twitter’s Board of Directors until early 2021.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she co-led the global health response as a special envoy for the African Union and the World Health Organization. She was instrumental in launching the COVAX Facility, a global initiative to ensure equitable vaccine access for low- and middle-income countries.
In November 2024, she was reappointed for a second term as Director-General of the WTO, affirming global confidence in her leadership. Under her guidance, the WTO continues to navigate complex economic landscapes, advocate for fair trade, and push for inclusive growth and development across nations.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s visionary leadership, intellectual rigor, and lifelong dedication to equity and sustainability have made her a symbol of African excellence. Her inclusion in the 100 Reputable Women of African Descent 2025 honors not only her monumental achievements but also her unrelenting pursuit of a just, inclusive, and prosperous world.
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