Nigeria’s Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the first African and woman to lead the World Trade Organization (WTO), has officially announced her candidacy for a second term. Her prospects appear favorable, barring any repeat of the political roadblocks she faced in 2020, when Donald Trump opposed her nomination. The organization, which is navigating internal reforms and stalled negotiations on key global agreements, may once again be shaped by her leadership.
While no other candidates have declared their intentions, the outcome of the upcoming U.S. presidential election remains a pivotal factor. Should Trump return to power, his past opposition could jeopardize Okonjo-Iweala’s reappointment.
Strong Backing from African Nations
Since July, when African member nations rallied behind Okonjo-Iweala at a WTO headquarters meeting, her candidacy has been widely expected. Known for her commitment and global connections, the 70-year-old has built a strong reputation during her tenure. On September 16, she formally communicated her decision to Norwegian Ambassador Petter Olberg, Chair of the WTO General Council.
Her current term runs until August 2025, but the nomination process begins nine months prior to the end of her term. As with all WTO leadership selections, consensus among its 166 members remains essential.
A Resilient Leader Amid Previous Opposition
Despite challenges during her first bid for leadership, Okonjo-Iweala’s nomination was secured after Joe Biden replaced Trump as U.S. President. Trump had backed South Korean Trade Minister Yoo Myung-hee instead. Okonjo-Iweala eventually took office in February 2021, succeeding Brazil’s Roberto Azevedo, and has since worked to breathe new life into the WTO.
Under her leadership, the WTO took a central role in pandemic-related discussions on global vaccine access. Okonjo-Iweala also succeeded in breaking a 20-year deadlock over fishing subsidy bans. She remains an advocate of flexible, smaller agreements among countries where consensus is hard to achieve.
However, pressure for broader reforms continues to build, particularly regarding the obligations of advanced emerging economies and the resolution of the WTO’s long-standing dispute settlement issues. Appointments to the Appellate Body, blocked by the U.S. for years, remain a priority, with efforts underway to restore functionality by 2024. These reforms are crucial as the WTO looks ahead to its next ministerial conference in Cameroon in 2026.