Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been officially reappointed for a second term as Director-General.
The WTO shared the announcement on Friday, November 29, via its verified X (formerly Twitter) account, stating:
“Breaking: The General Council has appointed Director-General @NOIweala for a second term, effective 1 September 2025. More details to follow.”
The WTO confirmed that its 166 member states unanimously agreed to extend her leadership, a decision finalized in a closed-door session of the WTO’s General Council.
Okonjo-Iweala, 70, will continue her role beyond the end of her current term in August 2025. This reappointment reflects a significant consensus among WTO members.
Initially, the process to determine the next term was expected to take several months. However, Okonjo-Iweala’s candidacy as the sole nominee, coupled with strong backing from African nations, accelerated the decision.
The swift move aims to ensure adequate preparation for the WTO’s upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon, scheduled for 2026.
Keith Rockwell, senior research fellow at the Hinrich Foundation, pointed to an unstated reason behind the expedited decision: a desire to avoid potential political interference from the United States.
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This recall is linked to former President Donald Trump’s 2020 veto, which had delayed Okonjo-Iweala’s initial appointment. Her leadership officially began after President Joe Biden assumed office in early 2021.
Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, Chair of the General Council, confirmed that no other nominations were submitted by the 8 November deadline.
Meanwhile, her first term began in March 2021, and her second term is set to start on 1 September 2025.
Okonjo-Iweala’s tenure has been marked by a focused drive for reform within the WTO, a mission she has ardently pursued since her first appointment.
Despite early obstacles, she successfully navigated the consensus-based appointment process involving all 166 member countries. Her reappointment is a testament to the global confidence in her leadership and her vision to address the challenges confronting international trade.
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