Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has secured a second term as Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), reaffirming her position as the first woman and first African to lead the global trade body.
The decision, confirmed on Friday during a closed-door General Council meeting, was reached by consensus among the WTO’s 166 member states.
Her reappointment, expedited to avoid potential political challenges, extends her tenure beyond August 2025 and positions her to lead the organization into the 2026 ministerial conference in Cameroon. Concerns over a possible void in leadership influenced the swift decision, particularly in light of fears surrounding a potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, whose administration previously delayed Okonjo-Iweala’s initial appointment in 2020.
The WTO has faced significant challenges under Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership, with the dispute settlement system weakened and member states increasingly bypassing WTO rules to address issues such as national security and re-industrialization. While her leadership has introduced initiatives focused on climate change and health, calls for structural reform of the organization continue to mount.
Analysts warn that the path ahead will be fraught with challenges, particularly if the U.S. intensifies its critical stance. The organization will require strong leadership to navigate an era of rising trade tensions, evolving global priorities, and declining adherence to multilateral trade rules.
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