The first woman and first African to lead the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has officially secured a second term as Director-General.

Okonjo-Iweala, 70, had announced her intention to seek a second term in September.

Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, chair of the General Council, also informed WTO members that no other nominations were received before the 8 November deadline.

Her current tenure, which began in March 2021, is set to conclude in August 2025.

Confirming her re-election, WTO on its verified X page (formerly Twitter) on Friday, November 29 in a terse post said: “Breaking: the General Council has appointed Director-General @NOIweala for a second term, effective 1 September 2025. More details to follow.”

The appointment of the Director-General is made by consensus among the WTO’s 166 member countries, a process she successfully navigated despite initial hurdles.

Okonjo-Iweala’s leadership has been instrumental in pushing forward a reform agenda for the WTO. (The Nation)