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.
