JUST-IN: Okonjo-Iweala reappointed as WTO director-general

• WTO said the reappointment will take effect on September 1, 2025.
• On November 9, the WTO confirmed Okonjo-Iweala as the sole candidate for the position.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation for another term.

The reappointment was announced by the WTO on Friday, stating that Okonjo-Iweala’s second term will commence on September 1, 2025.

A notification sent to journalists showed that WTO members agreed to reappoint Okonjo-Iweala after a general council meeting.

“Her second four-year term, which was approved at a special General Council meeting, will begin on 1 September 2025,” WTO stated.

“DG Okonjo-Iweala took office as Director-General in March 2021 and is the first African and the first woman to serve as head of the organization”.

Okonjo-Iweala had expressed her intention to seek re-election as the head of the organisation on September 16.

The announcement followed a proposal by the African Group of WTO, supported by 58 member countries, for her reappointment.

The WTO initiated the process of appointing its next director-general on October 8, with a deadline for nominations set at November 8.

On November 9, the WTO confirmed Okonjo-Iweala as the sole candidate for the position.