NGOZI OKONJO - IWEALA - An Inspiration To The Modern Day African Woman

The Nigerian economist and international development expert. Who sits at the board of Standard Chattered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and immunisation and the African Risk Capacity (ARC). 

Born13 June 1954, in ogwashi - ukwu Delta state Nigeria, has rose to prominence from humble beginnings, becoming the first African and first female director - general of the world trade organisation, since March 2021. Interestingly she has also served as Nigeria's finance minister, and had a 25 year career at the world bank. Her achievements so far can serve as a major boost in morale of the African woman, making them realise they are not just meant to take a back seat, but also meant to be front liners in capacity, economic and nation building.

 As per McKinsey's 2019 report on gender equality for African women: 

 Africa has a high number of female entrepreneurs and the highest representation of women at the board level than any other region in the world, 25% against the global average of 17%. That is why NGOZI OKONJO - IWEALA'S rise up the ladder has brought a shift in reasoning and critical thinking of entrusting women with positions of decision making in business, global health and finance might drastically help the African region recover quickly from the current global pandemic.  In Africa the success stories are limited to women at the top of the pyramid, often times due to the fact that, Women in Africa who start businesses do so out of a necessity to survive, rather than see it as an opportunity for economic empowerment, coupled with the numerous challenges they face such as; gaining access to basic finance, access to internet and electricity needs. 

 McKinsey also notes: 

"Advancing women equality can deliver a significant growth dividend". If the progress of each country in Africa matches the country in the region that has shown most progress towards gender parity, the continent could add $36billion or a 10% growth to GDP in the period of 2025. Making opportunities like that of NGOZI OKONJO - IWEALA the norm, rather than an abnormality. 

Women in Africa have to look inward and believe they can be a major contributor to the region in all sectors, and kudos to NGOZI OKONJO - IWEALA for being a source of inspiration, showing the African woman it can be done regardless of background, ethnicity, race and colour. 

As she rightly puts it, 

Every woman who steps forward, makes space for the woman who comes next.