The first African Director General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as expressed interest to seek second term as the WTO-DG. The WTO spokesman, Ismaila Dieng stated that the DG would seek another four-year term when her mandate expires by August, 2025. “We can confirm that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has officially announced her intention to seek a second term as Director-General of the WTO.” The former Nigerian Minister of Finance revealed that, the overwhelming and broad-based support expressed by members in her helm of the 166-member WTO has paved ways for her decision.
Her decision to seek another term was officially communicated to WTO Chair Norwegian Ambassador, Petter Olberg on Monday.
The WTO’s African Group formally requested that she make herself available for a second term at that same meeting, and proposed that the process to re-nominate her should begin as soon as possible.
Okonjo-Iweala, who took over in March 2021, has hinged her leadership on breathing new life into the sclerotic organisation.
