Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been listed in Forbes' 2023 edition of "The World's Most Powerful Women."Okonjo-Iweala has the 87th position on Forbes' annual list of the world's most influential women, which the prestigious international business magazine revealed on Tuesday.
Okonjo-Iweala has been named the most powerful woman in the world for the past two years running. In 2022, Forbes ranked her as the 91st most powerful woman in the world.
With more than 30 years of experience, Okonjo-Iweala is an economist and international development specialist who has worked in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. She was appointed the first African American woman director-general of the World Trade Organization in March 2021.
The COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and the development of trade protectionism are just a few of the issues that Okonjo-Iweala has faced as Director-General of the World Trade Organization. She has received recognition for her efforts in tackling these issues.
Additionally, she has been a steadfast supporter of using trade to help underdeveloped nations achieve sustainable development and escape poverty.
Previously, Okonjo-Iweala served as Nigeria's Finance Minister for two terms, from 2003 to 2006 and 2011 to 2015. In 2006, she also filled the position of Foreign Minister for a brief period of time.
Wealth, influence, and effect are just a few of the criteria used to determine who makes Forbes' list of the world's most powerful women.
"As always, four primary variables were used to construct the 2023 Power List: money, media, impact, and spheres of influence. Gross domestic products and population figures were important to political leaders; revenue, valuations, and personnel counts were important to corporate executives. Social reach and media mentions were examined for each. As a result, 100 women are influencing the laws, goods, and political disputes that shape our planet, according to a Forbes website post.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, media mogul Mo Abudu of Nigeria, and businesswoman Mpumi Madisa of South Africa were among the other notable African women placed ahead of Okonjo-Iweala.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, was named the most powerful woman in the world for 2023. Her decisions regarding budget and policy have a substantial impact on the lives of 450 million people in Europe.
Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank, took second place and oversaw monetary policy in Europe during a time of high inflation.
Third place went to U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, and fourth place went to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.