Published: April 14, 2025
MONROVIA — The Government of Türkiye has agreed to send a high-level delegation to Liberia to explore a potential government-to-government partnership to upgrade the country’s main international gateway, Roberts International Airport (RIA).
The agreement followed recent high-level talks between Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye.
During the meeting, Nyanti conveyed President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s desire to expand and modernize RIA to meet international standards and drive economic growth. She emphasized the need for strategic partnerships in revitalizing critical infrastructure, particularly in the aviation sector.
In response, Erdoğan immediately directed his Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, to begin urgent follow-up discussions on Liberia’s proposal.
Türkiye’s president reaffirmed his country’s commitment to exploring a bilateral cooperation framework that would support Liberia’s infrastructure development through mutually beneficial agreements.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Uraloğlu confirmed that a Turkish delegation will visit Liberia soon to assess RIA’s operational capacity and explore technical and financial collaboration opportunities.
This engagement is part of Liberia’s broader economic diplomacy strategy, which Foreign Minister Nyanti has been driving to attract foreign investment aimed at job creation, infrastructure development, and economic empowerment.
Nyanti’s diplomatic efforts have already yielded results elsewhere. Following her recent outreach to Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traoré, a Burkinabe delegation has begun constructing traditional weaving machines in Lofa County. The project aims to economically empower more than 1,000 Liberian women.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it remains committed to advancing partnerships that deliver tangible development results for Liberians.
Nyanti’s talks with Türkiye, officials said, mark a significant step toward attracting investment in Liberia’s aviation and transportation sectors — key drivers of trade, tourism, and regional integration.
The upcoming visit by the Turkish delegation is expected to be a milestone in Liberia’s push to modernize its aviation sector and position itself as a competitive player in regional and global transportation.
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