Okonjo-Iweala Appointed As First Female And African Head of WTO

Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed as the first female and first African boss of the World Trade Organization (WTO on Monday.

Saying a stronger WTO would be vital for the global coronavirus recovery, the WTO called a virtual special general council meeting at which member states officially selected Okonjo-Iweala as the global trade body’s new director-general.

She will take up her post on March 1 and her term, which is renewable, will run until August 31, 2025. The near-paralyzed institution desperately needs a kick-start — something Okonjo-Iweala immediately addressed after being confirmed in the job. “A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the 66-year-old economist said in a statement.

“I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again. “Our organization faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile, and better adapted to the realities of today.”

South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee had been the only remaining contender for the post but pulled out when it became clear that new US President Joe Biden was swinging firmly behind Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy.