Okonjo-Iweala  is a star trade diplomat — ACCI President

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has congratulated Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her emergence as the Director General(DG) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), describing her as “ a shining light” in trade diplomacy.

Okonjo-Iweala who was a two-time Minister of Finance, and also a Minister of Foreign Affairs was confirmed DG of the trade body in a statement by the WTO on Monday.

She has made history as the first woman and African to head the World Trade Organization.

President of the Chamber, Alhaji Abubakar Al-Mujtaba, said asides from her time in public office, the Development Economist had garnered a quarter of a century’s worth of experience at the World Bank where she delivered impeccably, leading her to the top role in 2012.

“The appointment is an acknowledgement of excellence, competence and vast experience in multilateral trade diplomacy. The world agrees that a brilliant Nigerian is needed to reform the WTO and tackle the multiple problems facing the world trade”, the ACCI President noted.

He added that “Okonjo-Iweala has shattered several ceilings and has a chance to put Africa’s plan to build the world’s biggest free trade area by helping to point out the product and market opportunities in the continent.”

He said the burden is heavy but her track record earned her the position of the African Union special envoy to mobilize international support for the continent’s efforts at addressing the economic fallout of coronavirus pandemic.