Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, PhD is the seventh Director-General of the World Trade organisation (WTO), making history as the first woman and first African to hold this prestigious role. She took office on March 1, 2021.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala has had an illustrious career in both international organisations and governmental roles. She served as Finance Minister of Nigeria on two separate occasions, from 2003 to 2006 and 2011 to 2015, and also held the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2006. Notably, during her tenure as Finance Minister, she was instrumental in negotiating the cancellation of 60% of Nigeria’s external debt in 2005, significantly reducing the country’s indebtedness.

Dr Okonjo-Iweala’s experience at the World Bank is extensive, having served as Managing Director from 2007 to 2011. She had oversight responsibilities for the Bank’s portfolio in Africa, South Asia, and Europe and Central Asia, leading several initiatives to assist low-income countries during financial crises.

She holds a Ph.D. in Regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and has received numerous awards, including Global Finance Minister of the Year by Euromoney in 2005. She has served on various boards including GAVI, Rockefeller Foundation, and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.