Published: April 16, 2025
MARGIBI — The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) has welcomed and expressed strong support for a partnership with the Turkish government aimed at modernizing and expanding the Roberts International Airport (RIA).
The agreement follows a closed-door meeting between Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. During the meeting, Minister Nyanti made a compelling case for government-to-government cooperation to upgrade Liberia’s primary international airport.
LAA Managing Director Jero Mends-Cole described the partnership as a significant boost to Liberia’s aviation sector.
“We are grateful for Turkey’s commitment to our development goals,” Mends-Cole said. “This project not only represents a boost to the RIA facility and our aviation sector but also signifies a strengthening of bilateral relations between Liberia and Turkey.”
Speaking on preparations for the Turkish delegation’s visit to Liberia, Mends-Cole said the LAA is working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President to welcome the high-level team.
“We are working collaboratively with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President to welcome the high-level Turkish delegation to be dispatched to Liberia to assess the airport’s infrastructure and lay the groundwork for the airport expansion,” he said. “Thanks to Minister Nyanti for making the case for the LAA.”
The Turkish delegation is expected in Liberia within weeks and will conduct on-the-ground assessments, technical consultations, and discussions on financing models.
The partnership is expected to enhance the airport’s infrastructure, improve the passenger experience, and boost economic growth in Liberia.
If successful, the initiative could pave the way for a full-scale modernization of RIA, transforming it into a regional hub capable of handling increased passenger and cargo traffic.
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