March 10, 2026

Okonjo-Iweala reappointed WTO director-general

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has reappointed Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as its director-general for a second term.

In a post on X on Friday, WTO said the reappointment will take effect on September 1, 2025.

In a notice to journalists, the organisation said its members agreed to give Okonjo-Iweala a second term after a general council meeting today.

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

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“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 announced her intention to seek another four-year term as the head of the organisation on September 16.

The announcement came more than a month after 58 member countries supported a proposal from the African Group of WTO for her to head the organisation for another term.

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The WTO formally began the process of appointing its next director-general on October 8, allowing members until November 8 to submit nominations.

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

In a message to members, Petter Olberg, chair of the WTO’s general council, announced that no additional nominations were received by the deadline.

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