Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

The first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization, driving global trade equity and vaccine access initiatives.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (born June 7, 1954) is a Nigerian economist and public servant who made history in 2021 as the first woman and first African to become Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Her groundbreaking leadership has focused on addressing global economic inequities, particularly in vaccine distribution during the pandemic. As a former Nigerian Finance Minister and Chair of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, she pioneered the WTO's Technology Transfer Initiative, accelerating vaccine production in developing countries.

Okonjo-Iweala's career includes pioneering IMF reforms in the 1980s, negotiating Nigeria's debt relief, and establishing the Catalyst Gender Equality Initiative. Her 2023 proposal to reform agricultural subsidies has reshaped global trade negotiations. Despite facing gender and racial barriers, her data-driven approach and diplomatic skills have redefined multilateral leadership. Recent innovations include the 2024 WTO Digital Trade Framework addressing AI trade barriers.