In a significant development, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the current Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has been confirmed as the only candidate running for her position’s renewal. This announcement means Okonjo-Iweala could be set for a second four-year term leading the global trade body.

Ambassador Petter Ølberg of Norway, the Chair of the WTO General Council, informed member countries on November 9 that no other candidates had entered the race by the November 8 deadline. With this confirmation, Okonjo-Iweala stands unopposed for the role.

Okonjo-Iweala has a remarkable history with the WTO. She made history in March 2021 as the first woman and the first African to lead the organization. Her background includes serving as Nigeria’s finance minister and a prominent role as Managing Director at the World Bank. Her expertise and leadership have helped her navigate through a highly competitive selection process before, beating two other African candidates, Abdel Hamid Mamdouh from Egypt and Amina Mohamed from Kenya.

In September, Okonjo-Iweala wrote to the Chair of the General Council, officially expressing her desire to serve a second term. The WTO then formally opened the nomination process on October 8, giving member countries until November 8 to submit candidates for the Director-General position. With the deadline passed and no new nominations, Okonjo-Iweala’s path to a second term is now clear.

The African Group at the WTO, an informal coalition representing African nations’ interests, has shown strong support for Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment. In July, the group encouraged the General Council to consider starting the reappointment process early. They highlighted her leadership in driving successful ministerial conferences in 2022 and 2024, underscoring the importance of continuity as the WTO prepares for its 2026 ministerial conference.

According to the African Group, Okonjo-Iweala’s steady hand in the Director-General role is essential for building on the progress made in the last few years. Ensuring her continued leadership, they argue, will help maintain stability and momentum for the organization.

Okonjo-Iweala’s current term will officially end in August 2025, but with no other contenders, her second term seems almost assured. As the WTO moves forward, her leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in guiding global trade policies, strengthening international cooperation, and addressing challenges in the trade landscape.

Stay tuned as we follow Okonjo-Iweala’s journey in shaping the future of global trade.