Ngozie Okonjo-Iweala
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Ngozie Okonjo-Iweala (born 13 June 1954) is a Nigerian-American economist, fair trade leader, environmental sustainability advocate, human welfare champion, sustainable finance maven and global development expert. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala GCON (/əŋˈɡoʊzi əˈkoʊndʒoʊ ɪˈweɪlə/ (born 13 June 1954) is a Nigerian economist, who has been serving as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization since March 2021. She is married to Ikemba Iweala and they had four children. Notably, she is the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization as Director-General.She sits on boards of: Danone, Standard Chartered Bank, MINDS: Mandela Institute for Development Studies, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, One Campaign, GAVI: Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, Rockefeller Foundation, R4D: Results for Development, ARC: African Risk Capacity and Earthshot Prize plus others.She also previously sat on the Twitter Board of Directors, and stepped down in February, 2021 in connection with her appointment as Director General of the World Trade Organization.
Quotes
[edit]- 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.
- [1]World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting 2014
- 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.
- [2] Statement she made to debunk rumors about the quotes from her new book (13 May 2019)
- 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.
- [3] Ngozi Okonjo Iweala speaking at the virtual White House Global COVID-19 Submiy on 22 September 2021
- Investing in women is smart economics, and investing in girls, catching them upstream is even smarter economics.
- No one can fight corruption for Nigerians except Nigerians. Everyone has to be committed from the top to the bottom to fight it.
- [5] Transparency International "Anti-Corruption Fighters"
- It's about our common good, because these variants will come back if people are not vaccinated.
- [6] Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks on COVID-19 vaccine
- 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.
- [7] on Africa rising
- It’s not just about empowering women, it’s about economic growth.
- [8] she talks on bank on poor women and phones to drive growth in Africa.
- 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.
- Compare non retiring income with investment such as bonds and fixed income etc.Annuity is low risk venture, fixed rate and guaranteed income for life and dependable old age.
- [10] she talks on investment and savings.
- “Africa’s opportunity lies not in aid — but in adding value, building trust, and using our resources wisely,”
- Africa’s opportunity not aid, says Okonjo-Iweala the national newspaper (May 6, 2025)
- “Our critical minerals are in demand — but instead of giving them away raw, we must negotiate smartly, add value locally, create jobs, and become a true hub of global manufacturing and innovation"
- Africa’s opportunity not aid, says Okonjo-Iweala the national newspaper (May 6, 2025)
- “Even solving one problem or building one enterprise can have ripple effects across the continent. Everyone has a role to play in building Africa’s future,”
- “Events like this roundtable are vital platforms to foster collaboration, deepen trust, and unlock the entrepreneurial potential that exists both within Africa and among its global diaspora. It was an honor to join this important dialogue and help shape conversations that will drive long-term impact,”
- Africa’s opportunity not aid, says Okonjo-Iweala the national newspaper (May 6, 2025)
- “Diaspora investment is not just about capital; it’s about building ecosystems and reshaping Africa’s economic narrative. We are proud to create a platform where action-oriented conversations drive real change.”
- Africa’s opportunity not aid, says Okonjo-Iweala the national newspaper (May 6, 2025)
- “Africa really needs to change its mindset about access to aid. We should begin to see it as a thing of the past,”
- “Our focus should be on two key areas — attracting investment and mobilising domestic resources.”
- “The biggest pension funds are in South Africa, followed by Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Botswana, and Namibia. These resources are hugely significant, and we need to find ways to tap into them,”
- “At present, these institutions have a combined balance sheet of about $70 billion, but our infrastructure needs alone exceed $200 billion annually. Instead of looking outward for financial support, we must strengthen our own institutions,”
"10 Quotes from Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, The First Female Leader of the WTO"
[edit]- "10 Quotes from Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, The First Female Leader of the WTO", forwardladies.com
- I’ve developed my own style. It’s a colourful one. It’s African, and it is me.
- There is always guilt. Just make it work.
- If you have a sense of purpose that drives you, then aim high and become a leader and make room as you go.
- There is no right way to be a woman leader. Be true to yourself.
- Get anyone you know talking about gender stereotypes. These false assumptions cannot survive being held up to the light of day.
- Don’t take a backward step. Don’t shy away from taking up space in the world. Don’t assume you are too junior or that people are too busy. Reach out and network.
- Investing in women is smart economics, and investing in girls, catching them upstream is even smarter economics.
- I’m told, I’m like my father, and he was the most wonderful man. But I think he was gentler than me.
- I believe that when you find problems, you should also find solutions.
- In the 73 years of GATT WTO, I am honoured to be First Woman and First African to lead. But now the real work begins. Ready to tackle the challenges of WTO. Forget Business as usual!
- “Nigeria does have a problem with corruption. And so do many other countries, including developed countries. I don’t like the fact that when people mention the name Nigeria, the next thing they say is corruption.”
- “On my first day I sat in that chair and said Oh My God I can't do this. There are just too many things: we have to reform the budget, to fight corruption, do this, do that. But once I had set out the matrix, which became like a bible, I suddenly got a burst of confidence.”
- Transcript of interview with Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigerian Finance Minister The independent News (16 May 2006 )
- “One of the first big things we did was to delink the budget from the oil price ... Any surplus above that we saved — and we announce to Nigerians how much we had saved each quarter.”
- Transcript of interview with Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigerian Finance Minister The independent News (16 May 2006 )
- Full biograpny and CV (WTO site)