Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has secured majority of votes from European Union member states to become the head of the World Trade Organization.
She is now in a good position to become the first African to head the World Trade Organization, according to sources.
Okonjo-Iweala who is the only African left in the race is competing with South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee for the top role.
With the two women the remaining candidates in the race for the WTO job, it is certain the organization will have its first female director general in its 25-year history.
The winner will succeed Brazilian Roberto Azevedo, who unexpectedly left the WTO at the end of August, a year early.
Okonjo-Iweala previously served as Nigeria’s finance minister on two occasions and once as a foreign affairs minister.
She also served as former managing director of the World Bank and as a chairperson at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.
Yoo on the other hand served as South Korea’s trade minister.
During her 25-year career in government, she helped expand her country’s trade network through bilateral accords with the U.S., China and the U.K.
The next leader of the WTO is expected to take office in November this year.
The third and final phase of the consultation process will begin later this month and run until Nov. 6.
Source: Africafeeds.com
