The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for a second term as its Director-General.
This reappointment, which comes after her initial election on February 15, 2021, ensures her leadership until August 31, 2025.
The organisation’s 166 members “today agreed to give incumbent Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a second term as director-general,” the WTO said in a statement.
The WTO twitter handle post read” Breaking: the General Council has appointed Director-General @NOIweala for a second term, effective 1 September 2025.
Okonjo-Iweala, who made history as the first woman and first African to head the WTO, was the only candidate for the position, and her reappointment was approved by consensus during a special closed-door meeting of the General Council.
The 70-year-old Nigerian’s reappointment was widely anticipated, with African countries calling for an expedited process to prepare for the WTO’s upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026.
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In her statement following the decision, Okonjo-Iweala expressed her gratitude to the WTO’s 166 member nations for their trust and support, saying, “I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members. It is a privilege to continue serving as Director-General for a second four-year term.”
Reflecting on her first term, Okonjo-Iweala highlighted the WTO’s role in addressing global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts, and rising tensions.
She said, “In recent years, the WTO has played a vital role in helping Members navigate pressing global challenges, including the pandemic, conflict, and heightened geopolitical tensions. I commend Members for their hard work and determination in achieving progress despite unprecedented levels of uncertainty and rapid economic shifts.”
Looking ahead, Okonjo-Iweala reaffirmed her commitment to using trade as a tool for economic growth and resilience. “As we look ahead, I remain firmly committed to delivering results that matter — results that ultimately improve the lives of people around the world. By promoting trade as a driver of economic growth and resilience, the WTO will continue to provide a collaborative platform for Members to address shared global challenges,” she stated.
Okonjo-Iweala, who became the WTO’s first African and first female Director-General in 2021, pledged to continue her efforts to build a more inclusive, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system.
