BEVERLY HILLS, March 08, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s two-time minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been appointed as a member designate into South Africa’s presidential economic advisory council.
The council, chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president, was appointed on September 27, 2019 but the Nigerian wasn’t mentioned.
However the statement revealed that the Presidency was in the process of finalising the appointment of a seasoned economist and leader from West Africa who has accepted an invitation for her to serve as a member of the Council.
Okonjo-Iweala was seen in pictures released by the presidency in a recent meeting of the council leading to speculations of her membership.
Although the South-African government is yet to officially name her, THEWILL gathered that the Nigerian attended the meeting following conclusions of talks with the South African government.
In a statement on its website, the presidency said the council will “ensure greater coherence and consistency in the implementation of economic policy and ensure that government and society in general is better equipped to respond to changing economic circumstances”.
The council, which is made up of local and international economic thought leaders, is expected to “advise the president and government more broadly, facilitating the development and implementation of economic policies that spur inclusive growth.
“The council is a non-statutory and independent body chaired by the president and brings together prominent economists and technical experts drawn from academia, the private sector, labour, community, think tanks and other constituencies.
The members, who will volunteer their time and be compensated for subsistence and travel, are appointed to serve a three-year term.”
