Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a second term.
Her new term will run until August 31, 2025.
Okonjo-Iweala, who became the first woman and the first African to lead the WTO, was initially appointed on February 15, 2021.
She was the only candidate for the role, making her reappointment almost certain.
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The WTO’s 166 member countries reached a consensus to extend her leadership during a special General Council meeting, which was held behind closed doors.
At 70 years old, Okonjo-Iweala has worked to revitalize the WTO, emphasizing key global issues such as climate change and public health. Following the announcement, she expressed her gratitude, calling the reappointment an “honor” and a “privilege.”
Originally, the appointment process for her second term was expected to take months. However, African nations called for it to be expedited, to better prepare for the WTO’s upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026.
“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,” she said in a statement on the organisation’s website.
“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,” the former Nigerian finance minister said.
“I am deeply committed to working alongside the talented and dedicated staff of the WTO to build a more inclusive, equitable, and rules-based multilateral trading system that benefits all.”
Okonjo-Iweala served as Nigeria’s finance minister on two occasions: from 2003 to 2006 and again from 2011 to 2015.
She also made history in 2006 by becoming the country’s first female foreign minister, albeit for a brief two-month period.
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