The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, participated in a high-level CNN event titled “Global Perspectives on Africa,” where discussions focused on unlocking the continent’s economic potential, leveraging youth innovation, and strengthening regional integration.
She disclosed this on her X page on Monday.
Speaking alongside global leaders, Okonjo-Iweala addressed the multifaceted opportunities and challenges facing Africa’s economic development.
A central theme was the vital role of global and regional trade in achieving sustainable growth.
The panel explored how Africa can capitalise on the innovative capabilities of its youth across various technology sectors, from fintech, agritech, and healthtech to edutech.Key questions tackled during the event included: how can Africa successfully attract global value chains to the continent?—what steps are needed to facilitate greater job creation and higher value-added trade from African nations?, and what strategies can be deployed to achieve greater self-reliance and deepen regional integration across Africa?
READ ALSO
Okonjo-Iweala emphasised that an economically strong, more self-reliant, and secure Africa would be better positioned to engage effectively with the rest of the world.
She was joined by a distinguished group of fellow speakers, including Nadia Calviño, President of the European Investment Bank (EIB); Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt; Javier Nino Perez, Ambassador of the EU to the African Union; and Professor Carlos Lopez, former Undersecretary General of the UN and Head of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
The event also featured interviews conducted by CNN anchors Christian Amanpour, Zain Asher, and Richard Quest.
