Okonjo Iweala has emerged the new World Trade Organisation, WTO, Director General, making her the first woman to head the organisation.

Okonjo Iweala emerged winner ahead of South Korea’s Yoo Myung-hee.

Recall that there had been broad support for an African candidate and a woman, since neither have headed the Geneva-based body in the past.

Supporters of Okonjo-Iweala, a former minister and World Bank managing director, vaunt her negotiating skills, including clinching a multi-billion dollar debt relief package for Nigeria.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s spokeswoman had said: “Dr. Ngozi’s goal is to earn the support of all African countries, and she’s humbled by the support she’s already received. There is time for most if not all of Africa to unite behind one candidate.”

Okonjo-Iweala, 66, who served as her country’s first female finance and foreign minister and has a 25-year career behind her as a development economist at the World Bank.

Formal announcement will be made later today by the WTO.