WTO reappoints Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General for a second term, effective September 1, 2025, continuing her pioneering leadership in global trade.
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has confirmed the reappointment of Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its Director-General for a second term.
The announcement was made on Friday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), with the appointment set to take effect on September 1, 2025.
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Okonjo-Iweala, who became the first African and first woman to head the global trade body in 2021, has been praised for her leadership in steering the WTO through several challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine distribution issues, and global trade disruptions.
Her reappointment underscores the trust the international community has in her ability to navigate complex global trade dynamics and promote multilateral cooperation.
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Since taking office, Okonjo-Iweala has been instrumental in advocating for reforms within the WTO and working to strengthen the organisation’s role in promoting free and fair trade.
Her leadership has focused on modernising global trade rules and ensuring that developing nations have a voice in the decision-making processes at the WTO.
With the new term set to begin in September 2025, Okonjo-Iweala’s continued leadership is expected to further advance the WTO’s mission to reduce trade barriers, enhance economic development, and address key global trade challenges, including climate change, digital trade, and food security.
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The announcement of her reappointment has been met with widespread acclaim. Leaders from around the world have expressed their confidence in Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership, highlighting her ability to bring diverse stakeholders together to find solutions to pressing global trade issues.
As the WTO moves forward under her guidance, Okonjo-Iweala is expected to continue driving progress in global trade governance, ensuring that the WTO remains a central institution in the ever-evolving international economic landscape.
