Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former finance minister, has been reappointed as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for a second term.

This was disclosed by the WTO in a statement issued on Friday

“WTO members today agreed to give incumbent Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala a second term as Director-General of the WTO,” the organisation announced.

The 70-year-old Nigerian economist, the only candidate for the role, needed the support or agreement of all 166 WTO members, including the United States, to secure the position.

Her new four-year term will start in September 2025, right after her first term wraps up on August 31.

Okonjo-Iweala, who made history as the first woman and first African to lead the WTO, expressed her gratitude for the renewed trust in her leadership. “I am deeply honoured by the trust and support of the WTO General Council and its 166 Members,” she said in a statement published on Friday.

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Petter Ølberg, WTO General Council Chair Ambassador, described her first term as a period of remarkable progress.

“Amid significant global economic challenges, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala strengthened the WTO’s ability to support its members and set a forward-looking agenda for the organization,” Ølberg said.

Reflecting on her time at the WTO and her plans for the next term, Okonjo-Iweala emphasised the organisation’s role in addressing global problems like economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and post-pandemic recovery.

“The WTO will continue to provide a collaborative platform for Members to address shared global challenges,” she said.