Dr Okonjo Iweala the first woman and first African to hold the position in the 75-year history of the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT) and World Trade Organisation.

She was Nigeria’s first female and longest serving Finance Minister (7 years). During her tenure she implemented policy and institutional reforms to help fight corruption. She spearheaded the complete write off of $30 billion of Nigeria’s debt from the Paris club. She was also the first female Foreign Minister. She spent a 25-year career at the World Bank rising to the No.2 position of Managing Director, Operations.