BREAKING NEWS: Okonjo-Iweala becomes first African WTO DG
By Abolaji Adebayo
The former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has finally bagged the appointment to become the first woman and first African Director-General of the World Trade Organisation.
Her tenure begins on March 1, this year.
The WTO stated this in a tweet on Monday, saying, “Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria is appointed as the next WTO Director-General. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala makes history as the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO. Her term starts on the 1st of March 2021.
“WTO members took the decision to appoint @NOIweala at a special meeting of the General Council, following a selection process that included eight candidates from around the world #WTODG.”
The former Minister had, a few days ago, received the backing of the administration of US President Joe Biden for the role.
The US Trade Representative in a statement cited her “wealth of knowledge in economics and international diplomacy” and said she had “proven experience managing a large international organization.”
Okonjo-Iweala was challenged by South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee who later withdrew from the race for the position.
