Forbes, a globally renowned business magazine, has included Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in its annual list of the “World’s Most Powerful Women” for 2023. Okonjo-Iweala secured the 87th spot in the prestigious ranking.
This marks the second consecutive year that Okonjo-Iweala has been recognized as one of the most powerful women globally. In 2022, she was positioned at number 91 on Forbes’ list of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.
Okonjo-Iweala, an economist and international development professional with over three decades of experience across continents, made history in March 2021 as the first woman and African to assume the role of Director-General at the WTO. Her leadership has been commended for addressing global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and the rise of trade protectionism. She advocates for using trade to uplift developing countries out of poverty and facilitate sustainable development.
Forbes’ methodology for determining the most powerful women considers factors such as wealth, influence, and impact. The list comprises women who shape policies, products, and political landscapes globally.
In the 2023 ranking, Okonjo-Iweala outranked other prominent African women, including South African businesswoman Mpumi Madisa, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu.
The title of the most powerful woman in the world for 2023 was awarded to Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, recognized for impactful policy and budgetary decisions impacting the lives of 450 million people across Europe. European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde secured the second position, steering Europe’s monetary policy during a period of elevated inflation. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris claimed the third position, with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following closely in the fourth spot.
