“Leadership is not about the next election, it's about the next generation.”
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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is a Nigerian economist who has been serving as the director-general of the World Trade Organization since March 2021. She is the first ever woman and also the first African to lead the World Trade Organization as director-general.
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politics · Nigerian economist (born 1954) · diplomat · economist · politician · minister · bank manager · financial manager · finance minister · also Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Okonjo-Iweala
Born 13 June 1954 · Q289350
53 published statements · 0 followers
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"We don't want to repeat the same story" Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on globalization
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2026· 4 entries
“Development is not about helping poor people, it is about creating wealth, jobs, and opportunity.”
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“When women are empowered, they improve not only their own lives, but also the lives of their families and communities.”
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“You can't just have a World Bank and IMF, which are supposed to help in development, and have the richest countries control them.”
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2025· 8 entries
“There is no country that can exist by itself.”
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“Current trade issues are not purely the fault of trade policy.”
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“Digital trade is going to be the future of trade.”
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“Africa’s share of world trade has stagnated by 3 per cent because they are still exporting the same things.”
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“Africa has potential not only for critical minerals but also for clean energy.”
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“The US should also think because trade is about interdependence, and if countries decide to trade by themselves, that won't work.”
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“Sometimes trade is unfairly blamed for things that are due to technology.”
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“Trade is a strong driver of global growth.”
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2024· 5 entries
The Africa Report: WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will seek second term
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Awarded Dostyk Order of grade II (2024).
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Awarded Order of Timor-Leste (2024).
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Yahoo: How Meghan Markle and WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Bonded During the Pandemic (Exclusive)
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The Washington Post: John Podesta and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on the choices that could shape the planet's future
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2023· 1 entry
Awarded Global Economy Prize (2023).
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2021· 3 entries
Awarded Time 100 (2021).
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Essence: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Set To Make History As First Woman To Head The World Trade Organization
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Career landmark: Director-General of the World Trade Organization (2021).
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2020· 6 entries
AFP Fact Check rated the claim “Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala appointed head of WTO” False.
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Cfr.org: Nigerian (and American) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Finalist for WTO Director General
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AFP Fact Check rated the claim “Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala has been named head of the World Trade Organization” False.
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Reported claimRated From all evidence available, the claim that Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been appointed as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is FALSE. · FactCheckHub
FactCheckHub rated the claim “Multiple viral posts claiming that Nigeria’s nominee for the position of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been appointed by the organisation surfaced online Thursday evening.” From all evidence available, the claim that Ms. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been appointed as the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is FALSE..
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The International Monetary Fund's Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva appointed her to an external advisory group to provide input on policy challenges
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Was appointed by the African Union (AU) as special envoy to solicit international support to help the continent deal with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as World Health Organization COVID-19 Sp
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2019· 2 entries
Okonjo Iweala was awarded an honorary degree from Tel Aviv University
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Okonjo-Iweala was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
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2018· 1 entry
“You have to have a passion for development in Africa and the Caribbean.”
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2017· 1 entry
Awarded BBC 100 Women (2017).
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2016· 1 entry
“Women need to be part of the solution, not just a part of the discussion.”
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2015· 2 entries
“We have to make sure that the benefits of globalization are shared more widely.”
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“Corruption is not just a problem of Nigeria; it is a global problem.”
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2012· 1 entry
Was a candidate for President of the World Bank, running against former Colombian finance minister Jose Antonio Ocampo and Dartmouth College President Jim Yong Kim; if elected, she would have become the organization'
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2011· 2 entries
Okonjo-Iweala was re-appointed Minister of Finance in Nigeria with the expanded portfolio of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy by President Goodluck Jonathan
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Career landmark: Minister of Finance of Nigeria (2011–2015).
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2010· 1 entry
Chaired the IDA replenishment, the World Bank’s successful drive to raise $49
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2007· 1 entry
Career landmark: managing director (2007–2011).
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2006· 1 entry
Career landmark: Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria (2006–2006).
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2005· 1 entry
Euromoney named her Global Finance Minister of the Year
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2004· 1 entry
“2011 budget not good for development – Okonjo-Iweala”
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2003· 2 entries
Career landmark: Minister of Finance of Nigeria (2003–2006).
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Led efforts to improve Nigeria’s macroeconomic management including the implementation of an oil-price based fiscal rule
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1994· 6 entries
“We have a choice. Either we converge downwards by allowing the virus to drag us all back down, or we converge upwards by vaccinating the world.”
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“Africa represents our fastest-growing region in the world. If you want to be relevant, you need to be in this part of the world.”
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“Unless we can make access to finance easier for women in their businesses, we will be missing out on a significant portion of growth within our economies.”
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“No one can fight corruption for Nigerians except Nigerians. Everyone has to be committed from the top to the bottom to fight it.”
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“The idea [the government's 'You Win' campaign] is that instead of young people in Nigeria waiting to get employment, they should create their own jobs and employ their peers and employ other people.”
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“So we were not able to save when we should have. That is why you find that Nigeria is now in the situation it is in.”
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1978· 1 entry
And obtained her PhD in regional economics and development in 1981 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with the thesis Credit policy, rural financial markets, and Nigeria's agricultural development
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1973· 1 entry
Moved to the United States to study at Harvard University and graduated magna cum laude with an AB in economics in 1976
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1954· 1 entry
Born 1954-06-13.
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