Melinda Gates celebrates Okonjo-Iweala as everywhere-achiever

Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is excited about the achievements and impressive record of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation.

She said the WTO DG had made a difference everywhere she had worked.

In her International Women’s Day 2021 tribute, Gates said Okonjo-Iweala had helped Nigeria establish itself as the largest and strongest economy in Africa.

“Another woman leading on the global economic stage is economist and international development expert Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,” Gates wrote on LinkedIn.

“As the new Director-General of the World Trade Organization—the first woman and the first African to hold the post—Dr. Okonjo-Iweala will play an important role in bringing countries together to drive an inclusive economic recovery.

“Everywhere she’s been, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala has made a difference for people. During her two stints as finance minister, Nigeria established itself as the largest and strongest economy in Africa.

“During her time chairing the board of Gavi, the vaccine alliance launched Covax to help deliver 2 billion vaccine doses to people in low-and-middle-income countries regardless of their ability to pay.”

The Gates Foundation boss said the former World Bank MD “is also a powerful voice on the topic of women’s leadership”.

“One piece of advice she offers to aspiring leaders: ‘There’s no right way to be a woman leader. Be true to yourself.’

“She also urges women leaders to remember that the power of their example can help expand possibilities for the next generation. As she puts it: ‘Every woman who steps forward makes more space for the women who come next.’”

Gates gave four other women who “are helping the world to rebuild better, healthier and more equal” as Joy Buolamwini, founder of Algorithmic Justice League; Ava DuVernay, writer, producer, director and distributor of independent films; Gita Gopinath, a chief economist at the International Monetary Fund; and New York Times Claire Cain Miller.