Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first woman and the first African to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), has officially declared her intention to pursue a second four-year term as the Director-General when her current mandate expires in August 2025, according to her spokesman, Ismaila Dieng.
In a statement on Monday, Dieng confirmed that Okonjo-Iweala had made the decision after considering the widespread and strong support from WTO members. The announcement was formally communicated to the WTO chair, Norwegian Ambassador Petter Olberg, the same day.
During the meeting, the African Group within the WTO expressed its desire for Okonjo-Iweala to continue in her leadership role, and it proposed that the process for her re-nomination should commence immediately. So far, no other candidates have come forward to challenge her.
Okonjo-Iweala, who began her tenure in March 2021, has focused on revitalizing the 166-member organization, which had been experiencing stagnation. As a former Nigerian finance and foreign affairs minister, she positioned herself as a leader capable of making tough decisions and driving progress within the WTO.
