The Minister of Transport of the Republic of Liberia, Sirleaf Ralph Tyler, delivered a powerful investment pitch at the 2025 Liberia Investment Conference in Accra, Ghana, calling on aviation investors across the West African sub-region and beyond to seize a golden opportunity in Liberia’s underexplored domestic air transport sector.
During a presentation attended by policymakers, private investors, and development partners, Minister Tyler showcased Liberia’s strategic plan to revitalize and commercialize its domestic aviation landscape.
Central to his message was an invitation to invest in establishing and operating a reliable domestic air transport service, positioning Liberia as a vital hub for regional air mobility.
“Liberia currently has 11 domestic airports scattered across all key regions of the country,” Minister Tyler told the audience. “Yet, many remain underutilized due to the absence of scheduled, safe, and reliable domestic air services. This presents a unique investment opportunity that combines profit potential with national impact.”
A key highlight of Minister Tyler’s presentation was Liberia’s strong interest in the ATR 72 aircraft, a regional twin-engine turboprop ideal for short-haul flights, rough terrains, and unpaved runways.
“The ATR 72 is perfectly suited for Liberia’s internal geography,” he emphasized. “Its efficiency, short take-off and landing capability, and low operational cost make it the ideal aircraft for connecting Monrovia to counties like Maryland, Lofa, Grand Gedeh, and Nimba. With proper investment, we can dramatically reduce travel time from days by road to just an hour by air.”
Minister Tyler presented the investment goal as a regional development tool, aligning with the broader vision of enhancing intra-Mano River Union (MRU) connectivity. He emphasized the growing demand for regional domestic travel among Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire.
“As member states of the Mano River Union open up for more trade and free movement under ECOWAS protocols, we must bridge the mobility gap,” he noted.
“Investing in Liberia’s domestic air transport network today means gaining first-mover advantage in servicing cross-border regional routes.
The Transport Minister also reassured participants of the Government of Liberia’s full support and commitment, including regulatory reforms, tax incentives, and partnership frameworks for investors willing to pioneer this critical sector.
“We are open to public-private partnerships, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models and foreign direct investment to make this a reality,” he said. “With Liberia’s airspace opening and our regional ties strengthening, now is the time to invest.”
The presentation ended with a resounding applause as the Liberia Investment Conference set the stage for a dynamic Discussion on aviation, infrastructure, and regional mobility in West Africa.
