Africa business magnate, Aliko Dangote, has congratulated Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on her emergence as the newly appointed Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

The Africa’s richest man described the former Finance Minister’s feat as “historic”.

 He tweeted, “Congratulations to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first African and female DG, WTO.

“We are proud of your historic emergence and confident in your ability to rebuild the World Trade Organisation and enhance global trade and economic development.”

Okonjo-Iweala’s emergence as DG of WTO breaks a 26-year record as the first African and first female boss of the global trade and dispute settlement organisation.

She will assume assume on March 1, and her term which is renewable will expire on August 31, 2025.

The new DG of WTO had earlier given a remark on her appointment.

She said “I am honoured to have been selected by members as WTO director-general.

 “A strong WTO is vital if we are to recover fully and rapidly from the devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I look forward to working with members to shape and implement the policy responses we need to get the global economy going again.

“Our organisation faces a great many challenges but working together we can collectively make the WTO stronger, more agile and better adapted to the realities of today.”