Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has emerged as the only candidate for the position of Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), positioning her for a second term as head of the global trade body.
Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, the Chair of the WTO General Council, confirmed on November 9 that no other nominations were submitted for the post by the November 8 deadline.
This means Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-General, stands unopposed as she seeks to extend her leadership at the WTO for another four-year term.
Okonjo-Iweala, who served as Nigeria’s finance minister and as a managing director at the World Bank, initially made history in 2021 when she became the first woman and first African to lead the WTO.
Her path to the top role was highly competitive, with African candidates like Abdel Hamid Mamdouh from Egypt and Amina Mohamed from Kenya also in the running.
However, Okonjo-Iweala’s vast experience in global finance and development helped secure her the position, and she has since earned the respect of WTO members for her leadership.
The journey to her reappointment began in earnest this year.
On September 16, Okonjo-Iweala officially expressed her interest in serving a second term in a letter addressed to Ambassador Ølberg, outlining her commitment to continue her work at the WTO.
One month later, the WTO formally opened the process to appoint its next director-general, inviting nominations from member states.
With the nomination period closed and no other contenders stepping forward, Okonjo-Iweala now appears poised to continue her tenure.
Her current term officially ends in August 2025, but this early indication of unanimous support suggests strong confidence in her leadership.
The African Group, a coalition of African WTO members, has been a driving force behind Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment.
In July, Chad, on behalf of the African Group, submitted a letter to the General Council, urging them to consider reappointing Okonjo-Iweala and highlighting her contributions to the organization.
“The African Group is of the view that it would be in the best interest of the Organization if the process of reappointment were to start early for a number of reasons,” the letter stated.
The group pointed to Okonjo-Iweala’s success in steering two significant ministerial conferences in 2022 and 2024, events where critical agreements were reached under her leadership.
“We believe it is essential that we build on these results at MC14 [the WTO’s 2026 ministerial conference],” the group’s note emphasized.
Her tenure as Director-General has seen the WTO face an array of challenges, from navigating post-pandemic trade recovery to addressing global economic volatility.
Throughout, Okonjo-Iweala has advocated for a fair and balanced approach to international trade, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and addressing the needs of developing nations.
Her supporters credit her with helping to reform WTO policies to better suit the shifting global landscape, especially for emerging economies.
During her first term, Okonjo-Iweala championed several key initiatives, such as reducing trade barriers for essential goods, supporting trade-driven climate action, and encouraging WTO members to modernize trade regulations for the digital age.
Analysts say her efforts have brought a new level of transparency and inclusiveness to the WTO’s decision-making process.
In response to her unopposed candidacy, one trade analyst remarked, “This level of support signals that the WTO membership values her leadership and wants continuity at this crucial time for global trade.”
Okonjo-Iweala’s second term, if confirmed, will also focus on the upcoming 2026 ministerial conference, where she is expected to drive forward discussions on sustainable development, digital trade, and global supply chain resilience.
