Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s distinguished economist and global leader, has been reappointed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Her second term will commence on September 1, 2025, following the conclusion of her current tenure on August 31, 2025.
The WTO’s General Council confirmed her reappointment during a special closed-door session, marking a historic continuation of her leadership.
Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African to lead the global trade body, was unopposed in her bid for a second term. “The organisation’s 166 members today agreed to give incumbent Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a second term as director-general,” read a statement from the WTO.
In her reaction to the reappointment, the 70-year-old expressed gratitude and determination. “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,” Okonjo-Iweala said in a statement published on the WTO’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.”
Okonjo-Iweala was first elected to the WTO’s top position on February 15, 2021. During her tenure, she has sought to reinvigorate the organization by emphasizing its role in addressing pressing global issues such as climate change and health. African nations pushed for her reappointment to be expedited, allowing her to prepare for the WTO’s upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026.
Reflecting on her mission, she reiterated her commitment to fostering a fair and inclusive trading system. “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’s illustrious career includes serving as Nigeria’s finance minister on two occasions (2003-2006 and 2011-2015) and briefly as the country’s first female foreign minister in 2006. Her leadership at the WTO underscores her enduring impact on global economic policy.
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