Forbes has named former minister of finance Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Africa Person of the Year 2020.

Forbes tweeted on Tuesday, “The 2020 #AfricanOftheYear Award honoree is…Congratulations to Dr. @NOlweala! Board Chair @Gavi; Board Chair @ARCapicity, gracing the cover of @forbesafrica.”

Responding, the 66-year-old expressed her excitement at the award.

She wrote: “Thrilled to be named @forbesafrica -CNBC 2020 African of the Year following in the footsteps of my great Brothers @PaulKagame and @akin_adesina.

She dedicated the award to fellow Africans suffering the health and economic impact of Covid19.

The energy and resilience of Africans inspires me!” She said.

Okonjo-Iweala is bidding to be the first woman to head the World Trade Organisation.