World Trade Organization (WTO) leader Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been reappointed for a second term as director-general, with her candidacy unanimously approved during a closed-door session of the General Council. The Nigerian economist, who made history as the first African and first woman to lead the WTO, was the sole candidate for the position. Her reappointment ensures continuity in leadership as her current term is set to conclude in August 2025.
The expedited appointment process, championed by African nations, aimed to preempt potential interference from a Donald Trump administration, which had previously delayed her initial appointment in 2020. Keith Rockwell, a senior fellow at the Hinrich Foundation, highlighted concerns over Trump’s known skepticism toward multilateral trade frameworks and his history of vetoing WTO decisions. By accelerating the timeline, the WTO aims to prepare for its next ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026 without political disruptions.
Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership has been pivotal for the WTO, which faces increasing challenges amid global trade tensions and shifting geopolitics. Her reappointment signals the members’ confidence in her ability to navigate the organization through a complex international landscape, even as uncertainties loom with Trump’s potential return to the political stage.