As Liberia prepares to transform its aviation sector from a transit hub into a destination hub to unlock its full potential for inclusive growth, UNDP Liberia Resident Representative Aliou Dia has affirmed the UN’s partnership and support for Liberia’s transformation and inclusive development.
In his remarks on behalf of the UN System at the opening of the Aviation Awareness Week on May 5, 2025, in Monrovia, Dia stressed the importance of the aviation industry for the country’s sustainable development and its connection to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He highlighted the economic and social benefits of air transport, especially in tourism, trade, and job creation.
He acknowledged the challenges of labor shortages and infrastructure needs in the aviation industry while advocating for investments in sustainable aviation technologies and aligning the industry with Liberia’s national development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
“We are proud to be your partners in promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth. Aviation plays a role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It enables mobility, trade, and connectivity, serving as a critical enabler of tourism, commerce, and disaster response. As such, developing a robust and inclusive aviation industry directly supports Liberia’s vision for sustainable and inclusive growth, as outlined in the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID),” Dia noted.
He said the aviation sector must play its part as the world works toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. “This means investing in sustainable technologies, promoting alternative fuels, enhancing aircraft efficiency, and aligning with international climate commitments”.
Dia commended efforts already underway and encouraged continued innovation and policy support to transition the sector toward greener, more resilient operations.
The Aviation Awareness Week, held under the theme “Connecting Liberia: The Power of Aviation,” aims to galvanize public interest, encourage youth participation, and rally investment around the country’s aviation sector, long seen as underfunded but crucial to Liberia’s growth and global relevance.
“Aviation has always symbolized ambition, a sector that reaches beyond the horizon and opens doors to domestic and international opportunities. Today, aviation is not just an industry, it is the bloodstream of our national development. It links our people to one another and the global community. It enables commerce, facilitates innovation, and fuels cultural exchange,” said the Minister of State without Portfolio. Mamaka Bility, on behalf of H.E. President Joseph Boakai.
Madame Bility affirmed the government’s commitment to a national aviation strategy that includes investing in airport infrastructure, exceeds international safety and security standards, empowers the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA) with autonomy and resources, and expands training programs that build local capacity in piloting, air traffic control, engineering, and aviation management.
“Reliable aviation builds confidence among investors. It gives Liberian businesses access to new markets beyond our borders and allows our citizens to participate meaningfully in global affairs. It connects Monrovia to Maryland, Lofa to Grand Gedeh, and ensures that no Liberian, no matter how remote their community is left behind,” she intimated.
Transport Minister Sirleaf Ralph Tyler proposed that the government declare aviation a national emergency due to the immense challenges the sector faces, chief among them being outdated infrastructure, underfunding, and the lack of access to international best practices.
“Whenever I think of aviation in Liberia, I see a complex but indispensable system. Aviation is the fastest gateway to our national economy, so we must raise it to meet global standards, and that begins by recognizing it as a national emergency,” Tyler noted.
He stressed the need for public-private partnerships and a serious commitment to financing aviation as the front line of Liberia’s development.
Meanwhile, the LCAA Director General, Julius Dennis, has announced that the institution is finalizing a five-year Strategic Aviation Master Plan, which will serve as the roadmap for comprehensive sector reform.
Dennis said part of the plan includes modernizing air traffic control and navigation systems, constructing and rehabilitating airports, enhancing regulatory compliance and safety oversight, developing an aviation-related human capital, and introducing green, sustainable technologies to align with global environmental standards
“We are significantly below internationally accepted standards,” Dennis admitted. However, he added that it also presents Liberia with a unique opportunity to rebuild and reposition itself as a leader in air transport in West Africa.
The LCCAA Director General emphasized that investing in the aviation sector is a catalyst for economic growth. “From employment generation to emergency response, from boosting tourism to facilitating foreign direct investment, aviation plays a transformative role,” Dennis noted.
UNDP/Liberia
