MONROVIA – The Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) has welcomed what it described as a major diplomatic breakthrough after the Government of Liberia secured technical and financial support from the Republic of Türkiye to modernize the aging Roberts International Airport (RIA). The announcement, made on Monday, April 14, follows a successful high-level engagement between Liberia’s Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the recent Antalya Diplomacy Forum.
President Erdoğan responded swiftly to the Liberian appeal by instructing Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, to initiate immediate steps toward assessing Liberia’s proposal. A Turkish technical delegation is now expected to visit Liberia in the coming days to begin a comprehensive evaluation of RIA’s infrastructure, with the aim of identifying investment and collaboration opportunities.
The LAA, in a statement released following the development, described the support as a turning point in Liberia’s aviation sector and a significant stride toward aligning RIA with international standards. “This collaboration holds the potential to transform Roberts International Airport into a modern, efficient hub that meets international standards and supports Liberia’s broader development goals,” the Authority stated.
RIA, originally constructed in the 1940s, has long suffered from years of underinvestment and operational challenges. The airport remains Liberia’s primary international gateway, and government officials have repeatedly cited its rehabilitation as critical to national growth, trade expansion, tourism, and the country’s global image.
Commending the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for spearheading the diplomatic push, the LAA praised Minister Nyanti’s “vision and assertive diplomacy,” which it said had begun to deliver tangible results. The Authority reaffirmed its readiness to work closely with Turkish experts and other stakeholders to facilitate the assessment mission and ensure a smooth path toward airport revitalization.
The Boakai administration has prioritized infrastructure development as a central pillar of its national agenda. Foreign Minister Nyanti’s approach to economic diplomacy, which has already led to development partnerships in other sectors such as women’s empowerment and artisanal manufacturing, continues to draw international interest.
“With Turkish investment and expertise already making an impact across the continent, this initiative positions Liberia as a serious contender for strategic global partnerships,” the LAA said.
