Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala becomes first woman, African to lead WTO

Geneva, Feb 15 (efe-epa).- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was on Monday appointed as the World Trade Organization’s new director-general, becoming the first woman and first African citizen to lead the global institution that regulates international commerce.

Okonjo-Iweala, who is from Nigeria but also holds United States citizenship, will officially take over from Brazilian Roberto Azevedo on 1 March. Her candidacy was backed by all 164 members of the WTO in a general council Monday.

She has twice served as Nigeria’s finance minister and has held senior positions in international organizations such as the World Bank.

Okonjo-Iweala will take to the helm of the WTO after years of turbulence caused by the trade spat between the administration of former US president Donald Trump and China. EFE-EPA

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