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Summary
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been recognised for the eighth time on Forbes' 100 Most Powerful Women in the World list, ranking 89th in 2024 under politics and policy. Celebrated for her leadership in global trade and over 40 years of contributions to international finance and development, she joins four other African women on this year's list.
Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), has been named among Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in the World for 2024. Ranked 89th under the category of politics and policy, this marks the eighth time the renowned economist has been featured on the prestigious list. Previous recognitions include appearances on Forbes’ list in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, and 2023.
Forbes World’s most powerful women’s annual ranking celebrates women making global impacts across business, media, politics, and beyond, highlighting trailblazers who inspire change and command influence. The list is based on metrics like money, media presence, impact, and spheres of influence, with this year’s honorees collectively wielding $33 trillion in economic power and influencing over a billion people.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed her gratitude on X (formerly Twitter), saying:
“Honoured to be on the list of the 2024 Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World for the 8th time! This is an honour I do not take for granted.”
She also extended her congratulations to her fellow honorees, particularly the four other African women recognised on the list: Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, Mpumi Madisa (CEO of Bidvest, South Africa), and Nigerian media icon, Mo Abudu.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is widely recognised as the first female and African candidate to contest for the presidency of the World Bank Group in 2012 and the first woman and African to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO). Recently reappointed as WTO Director-General, she continues to make strides in global trade leadership. With over 40 years of experience in international finance and development, she has held prominent roles, including Managing Director at the World Bank, where she served for 25 years, and Nigeria’s Finance Minister (serving twice) and briefly as Foreign Minister in 2006.
Her accolades include the prestigious Lord Byron International Prize from the Society for Hellenism and Philhellenism, the Global Economy Prize from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (2023), and the Laureate Prize of Ambassadors from the International Organisation of La Francophonie (2022). In addition, she received the Global Leadership Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 2022 and the United Nations Foundation’s Global Leadership Award as a “Champion for Global Change“ in 2021.
