Minister Nyanti Secures Turkish Government Support to Upgrade RIA Airport

Ankara, Türkiye: In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, concluded a high-level meeting with the President of the Republic of Türkiye, H.E. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, over the weekend in Ankara. The talks mark a pivotal moment in strengthening Liberia–Türkiye bilateral relations, particularly in the area of infrastructure development.

During the meeting, Minister Nyanti delivered a special message from Liberian President H.E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., emphasizing Liberia’s urgent infrastructure needs and calling for enhanced government-to-government cooperation—chief among them, the revitalization of Roberts International Airport (RIA).

In response, Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, informed Minister Nyanti that President Erdoğan had personally instructed him to lead a high-level Turkish delegation to Liberia. The team will undertake a comprehensive technical and operational assessment of RIA with a view toward a major upgrade and expansion.

This strategic step underscores Minister Nyanti’s dynamic leadership on the global stage, as she continues to engage key international partners in support of Liberia’s development priorities. Her outreach during the recent Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Türkiye laid the groundwork for these promising developments.

The Liberian government is focused on transforming RIA into a modern regional hub that meets international standards, boosts operational capacity, and drives economic growth. Minister Uraloğlu reaffirmed Türkiye’s willingness to support this vision, noting that the Government of Türkiye is committed to identifying sustainable, practical solutions to Liberia’s aviation and transportation challenges.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Liberia has reiterated its commitment to building impactful partnerships that yield concrete development outcomes, particularly in critical sectors such as transportation key to unlocking trade, tourism, and international investment.