Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a renowned Nigerian economist and global leader, has been reappointed as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a second term. Her new tenure will begin on September 1, 2025, immediately following the conclusion of her current term on August 31, 2025.
The WTO’s General Council confirmed her reappointment during a special closed-door session, solidifying her historic leadership. Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and first African to head the global trade body, faced no opposition in her bid for re-election.
“The organisation’s 166 members today agreed to give incumbent Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a second term as Director-General,” the WTO stated.
In her response, the 70-year-old expressed both 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,” she said via a statement 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.”
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Okonjo-Iweala first assumed office on February 15, 2021, and has since focused on revitalizing the WTO’s role in addressing global challenges, including climate change and public health. African nations strongly advocated for her swift reappointment to enable her to prepare for the WTO’s upcoming ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026.
Reflecting on her priorities, she reiterated her vision for a fair and inclusive global 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 noted.
Before her WTO appointment, Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s Finance Minister (2003–2006, 2011–2015) and briefly as the nation’s first female Foreign Minister in 2006. Her reappointment cements her legacy as a transformative figure in global economic policy and international leadership.
