Aliko Dangote Endorses Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director General, World Trade Organization

Aliko Dangote Endorses Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director General, World Trade Organization

Aliko Dangote Endorses Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director General, World Trade Organization. Aliko Dangote declared his support for the former minister of Finance and Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to replace Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo, as the Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO). This was confirmed in a series of tweets through Aliko Dangote’s official twitter handle, which stated that the World Trade Organization (WTO) needs the proven experience and renowned skills of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to steer the organization during this period.

Dangote wrote: “In these challenging times, the WTO needs the renowned skills and tested experience of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to lead the organization through identified obstacles and strengthen its position as the prime facilitator of international trade. A vote by her by all is a step in the right direction. I fully endorse the candidature of Okonjo-Iweala to lead the WTO.”

Okonjo Iweala, one of the eight candidates (and one of three women) vying for the post of the WTO Director General has received global support for her nomination. Advocates have qualified her as the most excellent nominee based on her skills and wealth of experience.

Okonjo-Iweala, a Nigerian born economist and international development expert had a 2-year role at the World Bank in Washington DC as a development economist, rising to the second position of managing director in a short while. As managing director, she was responsible for the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia. She directed several World Bank initiatives to assist low income countries during the food crisis in 2008-2008 and later during the financial crisis in 2010.

Twice, she served in the Nigerian government as Finance Minister and as Minister of Foreign Affairs. She was the first female ever to hold both positions. During her first term as Finance Minister, she led negotiations with the Paris club that led to the ruling out of 30 billion dollars of Nigeria’s debt.

The appointed WTO head will be responsible for managing the strategic initiatives and reforms of the World Bank. The World Trade Organization is responsible for administering trade agreements, providing a forum for trade negotiations, monitoring national trade policies, and providing technical assistance and ensuring cooperation with other international organizations. The WTO’s major function is to ensure that trade flows smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.

Currently, Africa is positioned as the prospective continent to produce the next Director General of WTO, with three contestants from Kenya, Egypt and Nigeria.

Read Also: 23-Year-Old Nigerian Dominic Onyekachi is Building the Largest Online Collection of African Stories

The World Trade Organization will begin the second phase of the selection process, with three rounds of consultations termed, “confessionals,” on the 7th of September 2020. This process will have all member states confidentially indicating their preferences until a consensus is reached.