BY ALAN GREEN

The director-general of the World Trade Organization, the Brazilian Roberto Azevedo, shocked the world with the announcement of his early retirement from the high-profile position a full year ahead of the end his term in August. The organization has set in motion the process of replacing him, and Africa has positioned one of its most competent economists and administrators, former World Bank managing director Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from Nigeria.

It’s no secret that these are tough times for the world economy which, in the view of several world-renowned economists, will take a long time to recover from the heavy toll of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Besides the rising protectionism, the economic crisis is compounded by the escalating tension between the United States and China as U.S. President Donald Trump, who deliberately downplayed the significance of the pandemic for his reelection bid, shifted the blame on China and frequently attacks Beijing on the airwaves.

If chosen for the job, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala will bring not only impressive academic credentials, but also valuable international experiences to the position.

Equipped with an AB in Economics in 1976—graduating magna cum laude—from Harvard University, she proceeded to receive a Ph.D. in regional Economics and Development from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981.

The above opened the door to a dazzling career that included 25 yeas at the World Banks where she rose to the position of managing director. Politicians and economists alike praise her skills as a negotiator, citing, among other things, her ability to secure a multi-billion dollar debt relief package for Nigeria, at a time the nation needed it badly. On a broader scale, she led multiple World Bank initiatives geared toward assisting low-income countries during the memorable food crisis of 2008 and 2009, and the financial crisis that ensued.

Bringing home her international talents, she served her country for two terms as finance minister under two different presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan.

In addition to her proven skills as an economist and a manager—hence her potential to ably meet the economic challenges of these tough times—Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala would bring a much-needed fresh air to the position, being the first woman and the first African director-general of the World Trade Organization.

Subsequently, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States have thrown their support behind her candidacy, but not without a complaint by Egypt which accused Nigeria of foul play, on the theory that Nigeria broke AU’s rules by advancing Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy, one three that were supposed to be reviewed by the Africa-wide organization, but the process was disrupted by the covid-19 crisis.