Monrovia — The Government of Liberia has officially launched the international certification process for the Roberts International Airport (RIA). The milestone initiative aims to elevate the nation’s primary aviation gateway to meet stringent global safety and operational standards.
By Francis G. Boayue
The high-profile event, held at the Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ministerial Complex on Friday, May 29, 2026, brought together senior government officials, international diplomats, regulatory experts, and development partners. The gathering marked a critical turning point in Liberia’s aviation history, highlighting a concerted push to modernize air transport infrastructure and unlock economic potential.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Mr. Samuel A. Stevquoah, emphasized that the administration views robust aviation infrastructure as a cornerstone of national sovereignty and modernization.
“President Boakai views Roberts International Airport and other airport infrastructures among the most strategic and important assets for any modern with Liberia being no exception,” Minister Stevquoah declared.
He pointed out that the certification project aligns with a broader national vision designed to bridge geographic divides. The goal is to construct a framework that connects Monrovia to the leeward counties just as effectively as it links Liberia to the rest of the world.
The Minister called on the management and board of the Liberia Airport Authority (LAA), alongside international technical partners, to ensure that the certification standards become deeply embedded in the authority’s overarching institutional master plan.
Reaffirming the government’s support, Minister Stevquoah assured stakeholders that the Boakai administration remains fully committed to upgrading public infrastructure, strengthening state institutions, and fostering an enabling environment capable of driving Liberia’s sustainable economic transformation.
On behalf of the Liberian leader, he then officially declared the RIA certification process open.
Also speaking at the occasion, Liberia’s Transport Minister, Sirleaf Tyler emphasized that obtaining international airport certification represents Liberia’s commitment to safety, excellence, connectivity, and operational reliability.
“We are ready and we are back, stressing that airport certification would guarantee passengers world-class service, improved safety standards, and operational efficiency,” the Minister added.
He announced the establishment of a specially selected steering committee tasked with driving the certification process and ensuring full compliance with international aviation requirements.
Mr. Ernest Hughes, Managing Director, Liberia Airport Authority (LAA) described the initiative as a national undertaking aligned with President Joseph Boakai’s development agenda.
Commissioning the certification project team, MD Hughes said the project is not simply about infrastructure and compliance; it is about people.
According to him, the team members were selected based on competence and future leadership potential rather than seniority, describing them as “the next generation of aviation leaders.”
“The newly commissioned team will undergo technical training in airport operations, safety and security compliance, emergency management, international best practices, project management, and certification procedures,” he added.
The Director General of the Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), Mr. Julius D. Dennis Jr., issued a broader call for reforms across the sector, warning that Liberia must urgently address long-standing weaknesses identified in previous international aviation assessments.
The LCAA boss stated that Liberia’s immediate objective is to improve its aviation implementation score from approximately 27.5 percent to at least 75 percent, the minimum internationally acceptable benchmark.
He described Liberia’s aviation ambitions as larger than airport certification alone. “In the coming years, Liberia will possess a world-class aviation sector that serves as an economic catalyst,” Director Dennis said.
The LCAA head also stressed that aviation reforms align with national development priorities, continental integration efforts, and international sustainability goals.
He further warned that success would require stronger cooperation among regulators, airport operators, security agencies, customs authorities, policymakers, and international partners.
“The sky above us does not recognize political boundaries, institutional silos, nor individual agendas,” Dennis narrated.
The technical foundation of the initiative was introduced by Mr. James Mulbah, the Port Manager of Roberts International Airport, who formally presented HAAB Aviation as the lead certification partner for the project.
Following the introduction, Mr. Benjamin Ahlijah of HAAB Aviation provided a comprehensive technical overview of the RIA certification process.
Ahlijah outlined the multi-phased roadmap, emphasizing its core objectives, rigorous compliance phases, and long-term significance for Liberia’s aviation standing.
He explained that aligning RIA’s operational protocols with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is critical.
This, he noted, will eliminate safety deficits, minimize regulatory risks, and confidently position Liberia to welcome major global airlines.
Underscoring the international significance of the launch, the European Union announced a major financial and technical intervention to directly support the certification objectives.
Speaking on behalf of the Liberian Senate, the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Amb. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, craved the need for inclusion of women on the eight-member steering committee and called for adjustments.
Senator Lawrence, nevertheless, pledged full support for aviation reforms, revealing that aviation remains among the legislature’s highest reform priorities.
“The airport is the gateway and the image of our country starts from there,” she noted.
In remarks, Anna Brzozowska, Team Leader of the EU Delegation to Liberia, described the launch as a major milestone for Euro-African cooperation. She noted that safe and sustainable connectivity sits at the absolute center of the EU’s global investment strategies.
“For the European Union, safe and sustainable connectivity is really at the heart of our activities, of our investments abroad,” Brzozowska said.
She noted that the initiative falls under the EU’s “Global Gateway” strategy, which prioritizes resilient, high-quality infrastructure to generate employment and stimulate economic development across Africa.
At the same time, the Government of the People’s Republic of China through its Embassy accredited near Monrovia welcomed the certification RIA, describing it as a historic achievement for Liberia’s aviation sector and a major step toward strengthening the country’s international connectivity.
The Chinese Embassy representative at the occasion Mia Yang congratulated the Liberian Government and the Liberia Airport Authority for attaining the milestone.
Yang noted that the certification reflects Liberia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its aviation infrastructure, improve safety standards, and enhance operational capacity.
She said the achievement demonstrates the government’s commitment to national development under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
The Chinese Embassy official indicated that the certification will boost Liberia’s economic growth by attracting more international airlines, strengthening global connections, and promoting trade, investment, and tourism.
The Chinese diplomat also highlighted China’s longstanding support for Liberia’s infrastructure development, pointing to the RIA terminal, which was constructed with Chinese assistance, as a symbol of the strong friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Yang reaffirmed China’s commitment to expanding practical cooperation with Liberia, particularly in infrastructural development, as both countries continue to deepen their strategic partnership.
