OkonjoIweala

Okonjo-Iweala, commonly known as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, is a Nigerian economist and international development leader. Born in 1954 in Oguta, Nigeria, she has held several high-profile roles in global finance and governance. Since March 2021 she has served as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), becoming the first woman and the first African to lead the organization.

Before joining the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala held prominent positions in both Nigerian and international institutions. She served as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2015, during which time she also acted as Coordinating Minister for the Economy. She previously worked at the World Bank, where she was a managing director from 2007 to 2011, overseeing development policy lending, governance, and other key initiatives.

As WTO Director-General, Okonjo-Iweala has focused on reforming the multilateral trading system, promoting inclusive growth, and leveraging trade as a tool for development. Her career is characterized by a focus on macroeconomic policy, public finance management, and anti-corruption efforts, along with efforts to strengthen financial systems and foster economic resilience in Africa and beyond. She has been widely recognized for her leadership in economic policy, governance, and development finance, receiving various national and international honors throughout her career. Her education and early career foundations are in economics, laying the groundwork for her subsequent roles in government and international institutions.