Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has been included to Forbes’ list of the 100 Most Powerful Women.
The prominent Nigerian economist is ranked 87th in Forbes’ 20th annual list, beating South African entrepreneur Mpumi Madisa, who is ranked 88th.
Tanzanian President Samia Hassan debuts on the list at 93rd, with Nigerian media magnate and philanthropist Mo Abudu at 98th.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission for Impactful Policy and Budget, tops the list, followed by Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in third place.
Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, is acclaimed for her outstanding career at the World Bank and profound economic changes in Nigeria.
Her inclusion on the Forbes list recognises not just her major contributions to global trade, but also her dedication to economic growth, governance, and international leadership.