Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, has been listed among Forbes’ most powerful women in the world for 2025.
Okonjo-Iweala, who became WTO’s DG in 2021 and is the first woman and first African to lead the organisation, was ranked 92nd on this year’s list.
Media executive and EbonyLife founder, Mo Abudu, also featured on the ranking, placing 98th.
Okonjo-Iweala previously served as Nigeria’s finance minister under former president Olusegun Obasanjo and later as coordinating minister of the economy in the Goodluck Jonathan administration. She spent over 20 years at the World Bank, rising to the position of Managing Director for Operations between 2007 and 2011.
She has consistently been recognised for her global influence, ranking 89th on Forbes’ list in 2024 and 87th in 2023.
Abudu, a media entrepreneur and philanthropist, is similarly well-regarded for her contributions to the entertainment and creative industries.
Topping the 2025 ranking is Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. She is followed by Christine Lagarde of the European Central Bank; Japan’s Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi; Italy’s Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni; Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum; and Accenture’s Chair and CEO, Julie Sweet.
The Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list highlights figures from politics, business, technology and entertainment who have had significant global impact.
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