Better Days ahead for the economy of developing countries in Africa

[stompix]

I hope so, but the United Nations organizations will not change the reality of Africa, as they need political will and military strength to force some of the leaders of those countries who came with military coups to return to the referendum of the masses, national reconciliation and other things.

Her position is indeed quite powerless, the WTO supervises trade, they can act only when agreements are breached they have little to now saying when a new trade is singed as long as it matches previous agreements. Furthermore at this point international trade with fewer boundaries, fewer taxes are not really helping emerging economies, a lot of African countries would fare far better with a bit of protectionism, they have no way right now to compete in industrial manufacturing with either cheap imports from Asia or highly specialized equipment manufactured in the western world.
Pretty weird situation but in order for her to do something good for Africa she would have to go against what WTO stans for, which is not likely.

Also, having an African on the top posts in the past hardly had any impact on the well being of the region. A perfect example is that of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is the current director general of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Yeah, no positive impact but look at the shitstorm that's happening right now because of his nomination.
In the event of Trump being elected expect the same for her once the trade war deepens.

[Hydrogen]

Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala gets the nod, she is the first Nigerian and first African and woman to lead the WTO (World Trade Organization).

Many are still holding their breath, waiting for politicians to fix all their problems, deliver them from their sins and save them. The harsh reality is, many politicians don't care about those they represent or serving the public good. They only care about money.

Real and lasting positive change seldom comes from the top. It has to come from the bottom, at a grassroots level. From the average and the poor. They can learn to communicate, educate themselves and work together. This gives them real collective bargaining and leverage. Which they can utilize to improve circumstances and elevate their standard of living.

[AndySt]

Many are still holding their breath, waiting for politicians to fix all their problems, deliver them from their sins and save them. The harsh reality is, many politicians don't care about those they represent or serving the public good. They only care about money.
Real and lasting positive change seldom comes from the top. It has to come from the bottom, at a grassroots level. From the average and the poor. They can learn to communicate, educate themselves and work together. This gives them real collective bargaining and leverage. Which they can utilize to improve circumstances and elevate their standard of living.

Such a system as democracy was created by previous generations to choose politicians whose professional duty is to solve all problems and save sins and protect the population You can engage in beautiful chatter as much as you want but if you are engaged in the creation of structures parallel to the state, then this will not lead to anything good in the end. Amateur is a great thing but professionals should do it better because it is their job.

[Dorodha]

A better day for the economies of developing countries in Africa will help to improve the economy of Africa. Used for underdeveloped countries and used for economic growth Many steps should be taken for the economic growth of underdeveloped countries in developed countries. There are also some other social and religious practices that are increasing day by day in the economic development of the country which includes many countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa. With the help of these countries Africa is developing day by day.

[Twinkledoe]

I hope so, but the United Nations organizations will not change the reality of Africa, as they need political will and military strength to force some of the leaders of those countries who came with military coups to return to the referendum of the masses, national reconciliation and other things.

Her position is indeed quite powerless, the WTO supervises trade, they can act only when agreements are breached they have little to now saying when a new trade is singed as long as it matches previous agreements. Furthermore at this point international trade with fewer boundaries, fewer taxes are not really helping emerging economies, a lot of African countries would fare far better with a bit of protectionism, they have no way right now to compete in industrial manufacturing with either cheap imports from Asia or highly specialized equipment manufactured in the western world.
Pretty weird situation but in order for her to do something good for Africa she would have to go against what WTO stans for, which is not likely.

Also, having an African on the top posts in the past hardly had any impact on the well being of the region. A perfect example is that of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is the current director general of the World Health Organization (WHO).

Yeah, no positive impact but look at the shitstorm that's happening right now because of his nomination.
In the event of Trump being elected expect the same for her once the trade war deepens.

It is good news for the African community, but in reality I also don't know if she will have vital impact in lifting the economy of her region. Her position is not powerful to make a radical change for her countrymen. But maybe, she will give inspiration to others to do good in their chosen career. Can she make a dent in African history that will change the status of most her fellowmen?

[Sithara007]

It is good news for the African community, but in reality I also don't know if she will have vital impact in lifting the economy of her region. Her position is not powerful to make a radical change for her countrymen. But maybe, she will give inspiration to others to do good in their chosen career. Can she make a dent in African history that will change the status of most her fellowmen?

It may be an individual accomplishment for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, but I don't think it will benefit the Africans in a big way. I am not just talking about the WTO. Africans as heads for global organizations have historically failed to bring positive changes to the continent. I would even say that non-African heads have done more to the continent, when compared to individuals of African origin.

[bits4books]

I don't think this is some wild breakthrough and a significant milestone-but rather another political move to collect more positive feedback from all the "right" people.
The head of the WTO = / = is the only one who makes decisions in the organization and not even the one on whom decision-making depends. Any such posts are just a place for a talking head and nothing more.
What is her education? Harvard Magna cum laude and Ph. D. in regional Economics at MIT. What does it mean? That this is another product of American education and the American economy.
I understand if she was with diplomas exclusively from her country / continent and with them reached the positions where she was and is now but no. This is another American woman with a high-quality education who "made herself" and nothing more.
I do not detract from the merits of Ms. Ngozi, but the key to her positions is her education - and education is not only knowledge/skills, but also the way of thinking of the educational environment. She's American and not "niharika" or "African".

And as for the" market opportunities and prospects " of Africa-while you are talking about what opportunities there may be, the world has already lost to China in this regard.
The " white world "(Europe + USA) had the opportunity to develop Africa into a normal continent, but then it was called "apartheid" and said that all attempts were just oppression and mockery.

Africa will go to China - just look at how much money they pour into it.

[DoublerHunter]

^ We cannot presume that it will be better days for African countries for economic development doesn't rely only on the hand of a single person but it is so unjust to belittle someone just because of her ethnicity or gender we don't even know her capabilities yet until she started working besides I believe that she had shown excellence in her field prior of becoming part of the list on the choices who will take the position as the new WTO leader. It will be fair if we will give her a chance by supporting her because I know the mere fact that she was appointed she has already shown most of the people in the trading world for her exemplary actions in the past.

[Ryker1]

^[snip]
Can she make a dent in African history that will change the status of most her fellowmen?

Well, that is unpredictable.
Regardless of gender, -- race nor religion, it will still depend on the individual on his or her capabilities to perform the duties for the position. We will still know how good or bad she is based on the outcome of her actions after a few months leading the WTO but we should not judge her right away just because of her race and where she came from. Though she came from one of the poorest countries that don't mean that she is incapable to hold the position for there are some people who excel because they are able to surpass all the hardships that they went through and be recognized as a prize. But I am also looking forward that African countries will get a big leap with their economy in the years to come. Cheers for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

[FanEagle]

There is a lot more for Africa to recover from compared to just money. The sad part about Africa (and not just Nigeria, I mean all of Africa) is that you can spend 10 trillion dollars tomorrow and you are not going to suddenly make it like Europe, you can spend 100 trillion or even more and you won't have that, what they need is not sudden influx of money but more about building from what they have into something much bigger over long period of time and not just financially neither.

It is a continent ridden with dictators in the past (and maybe even today) that has been struck by a lot of trouble environmentally as well with drought as well, so it is going to take a loooong time before they can recover, you can have president of everything be African and it will still take decades of carefully planned improvement in the region to get it to a higher standard of living.

[stompix]

But maybe, she will give inspiration to others to do good in their chosen career. Can she make a dent in African history that will change the status of most her fellowmen?

Let's be honest about, 1 in a million will think he's a role model while a hundred times more will look at athletes, singers, Instagram influencers. While the biggest part of your population is facing poverty most of them dream of a quick escape from it, making lots of money and that's all, unfortunately, poverty doesn't always make people want to help others once there are better off, a lot of them will turn worse than they were.
Besides, they know those places are limited, it's like all the children dreaming of being an astronaut.

And one thing people should understand, there is no way to make everyone happy!
If the WTO tries to change some of the trade agreements, those will be equal for everyone in this world, they will not only be in the advantage of Africa, some changes might be good for countries like Nigeria while at the same time hit Sudan, some might benefit agriculture in Egypt but at the same time crush exports in South Africa.

I believe that she had shown excellence in her field prior of becoming part of the list on the choices who will take the position as the new WTO leader. It will be fair if we will give her a chance by supporting her because I know the mere fact that she was appointed she has already shown most of the people in the trading world for her exemplary actions in the past.

Well, we could make an idea of how things will go exactly because of the things you mentioned, She was finance minister in Nigeria for e and then 4 years...
Some people from there can tell us how good or bad she was at it behind words and projects, how it feels for the average Joe.

[Lordhermes]

The first time I read about her, she was the minister of finance in Nigeria Economy, for her to be accepted to that position as the World Trade Organization, she might have done some accreditations on the Nigerian financial situation and that's perfect of her, but my greatest fear is that the US government under the leadership of Donald Trump is objecting her reason best known to them^[1]. However, her experienced as economics expert can not be undermined.

the United States representative at World Trade Organization took to the floor to insist that South Korea’s candidate remained a contender, and that Washington will not recognise Okonjo-Iweala as the consensus candidate for appointment as director-general^[2]

[1]. US blocking selection of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to be next head of WTO
[2]. US holds up Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala appointment as WTO Director-General

[gabbie2010]

Her appointment will bring a sort of relief to debt ridden  economies of many African countries, she will influence and facilitate their debts to be written off, she was able to achieve the feat when was the finance minister in Nigeria however US was not in support of her candidacy as the director of World Trade Organization https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/business-54725681
How she is going to surmount this stiff opposition from the US is an Herculean task.

[verita1]

Dr Okonjo-Iweala was supported in the majority by the Caribbean, Africa, the European Union, China, Japan and Australia countries.
I sincerely wish her the best of luck in her new role and that she do a memorable job. She has a brilliant career having a 25-year career at the World Bank and has led important positions as a development economist.
We all want your administration to be the best because we need the best leaders to restore the economy left by the Covid19 pandemic.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngozi_Okonjo-Iweala

[Vishnu.Reang]

Her appointment will bring a sort of relief to debt ridden  economies of many African countries, she will influence and facilitate their debts to be written off, she was able to achieve the feat when was the finance minister in Nigeria however US was not in support of her candidacy as the director of World Trade Organization https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/business-54725681
How she is going to surmount this stiff opposition from the US is an Herculean task.

No one is going to write off the debt. If the African nations refuse to pay back their loans, then I don't think that the international lenders will entertain them the next time when they ask for more money. The era of loan write-offs are over and none of the world nations are in a position to do that. All of them are facing rising expenses and widening budget deficit. Loan write-off at this point is just wishful thinking.

[amishmanish]

Back in the 2000s when India was starting to gain a foothold in the international arena, such "first time Indian" chosen as a head of some organization, corporation etc used to do the rounds. While the position itself may not be of much significance, what it speaks about is the growing importance and clout of a country and the recognition of its importance at international forums such as the WTO, in this case.
Nigeria is one of the growing growth spots in the world and similar news about Nigeria means that the world is taking note of the potential of Nigeria. What is important is that these countries will need to follow a much more balanced and sustainable approach keeping in mind the challenges in development vis a vis environment and ecosystem.

[Yatsan]

That would really be a great news that African countries now do have a representative within the World Trade Organization which will give hope for the continent and will expect to have lots of opportunities coming since they can now be voiced out within the world trading circulation that can give them improvement that can somehow ensure for the better days to come. Knowing Africa and Indian countries do have lots of resources but the main problem is that they are not maximizing such resources added by the fact that they are being ruled over by corrupt officials only concern on making themselves rich and not having any bit of concern on their constituents. May we have high hopes and expectations that such news will bring African countries to get along with other continents and nation when it comes to trading making the countries within Africa experience such a great improvement making their lives better compared from before.

[davis196]

Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala gets the nod, she is the first Nigerian and first African and woman to lead the WTO (World Trade Organization). Securing this elective position means that qualified Nigerians and Africans can still be elected to hold important economic offices worldwide regardless of the bad run of corrupt officials holding top positions and many corruption and money laundering scandals.
It is our hope that having an African hold this very important position, will help point out the productive and market opportunities in the continent and in a long run help improve the economy of the developing countries in continent by spear heading for the revival of multilateralism and better trade deals for the developing countries in the region.

The fact that some man or woman coming from an African country was elected as a director of some world organization doesn't mean anything to me.
The director of the World Healthcare Organization is from Ethiopia and so what?Did the healthcare systems in Africa improved just because the World Healthcare Organization director is from Ethiopia?I don't think so.
African countries have great potential for economic growth,but they have to rely on their own will and resources.The IMF or the WTO can't help that much for further economic development of the third world countries.

[Dragonfund]

It may be an individual accomplishment for Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, but I don't think it will benefit the Africans in a big way. I am not just talking about the WTO. Africans as heads for global organizations have historically failed to bring positive changes to the continent. I would even say that non-African heads have done more to the continent, when compared to individuals of African origin.

You have just hit the nail on the head. A big achievement for her as a person but not as a country or for Africa entirely.
This might be a stepping stone for African countries to tap in the development outside their region but the way OP described is far from reality.
Africa is bless especially where she hail from(Ikonja Iweala), Delta state is one of the largest oil producers in Nigeria and the same society equipped her youths(militants) to vandalise same oil refinery pipeline in the name and interest of political ambition.
It's high time Africa embrace, restructured and fight corruption so other nations can take them serious.

[Hydrogen]

Many are still holding their breath, waiting for politicians to fix all their problems, deliver them from their sins and save them. The harsh reality is, many politicians don't care about those they represent or serving the public good. They only care about money.
Real and lasting positive change seldom comes from the top. It has to come from the bottom, at a grassroots level. From the average and the poor. They can learn to communicate, educate themselves and work together. This gives them real collective bargaining and leverage. Which they can utilize to improve circumstances and elevate their standard of living.

Such a system as democracy was created by previous generations to choose politicians whose professional duty is to solve all problems and save sins and protect the population You can engage in beautiful chatter as much as you want but if you are engaged in the creation of structures parallel to the state, then this will not lead to anything good in the end. Amateur is a great thing but professionals should do it better because it is their job.

....

Could it be fair to say professionals and politicians work for those who pay them? Who pays them is neither you nor I.

Some may feel professionals or politicians owe them something. But at the end of the day, we're not the ones who pay their salaries or put food on their table. And so they do not owe their allegiance or loyalty to us. No matter what theories of how the world should work say.

Many politicians have a net worth greater than $100 million dollars. That is a remarkable sum of money for this day and age. There is a question of how it happens consistently without many seeming to acknowledge it.