The World Trade Organization (WTO) has reappointed Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General for a second term.
The WTO announced this in a post on X on Friday. Okonjo-Iweala was appointed Director-General of the World Trade Organization on March 1, 2021, making her the first woman and African to oversee the organization. Her first term ended on August 31, 2025.
The World Trade Organization’s General Council declared that the reappointment will take effect on September 1, 2025.
The Council unanimously voted to reappoint Okonjo-Iweala as DG for a second four-year term, emphasizing that the decision reflects widespread acknowledgment of her extraordinary leadership and strategic vision for the WTO’s future.
It further explained that the reappointment process, initiated on October 8, 2024, was overseen by Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council.
“With no additional nominations submitted by the November 8 deadline, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala stood as the sole candidate. The process was conducted in a fully open and transparent manner, adhering to the WTO’s ‘Procedures for the Appointment of Directors-General’ (WT/L/509).
“During a special General Council meeting on November 28-29, 2024, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala outlined her forward-looking vision for the WTO. Following her presentation and a Q&A session with members, the Council formally endorsed her reappointment by consensus.”
“The General Council commends Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for her outstanding leadership during her first term. Amid significant global economic challenges, she strengthened the WTO’s ability to support its members and set a forward-looking agenda for the organization. Her leadership was instrumental in securing meaningful outcomes at pivotal moments, including the 12th and 13th Ministerial Conferences (MC12 and MC13), where major milestones were achieved.”
