By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has successfully concluded a five-day mission under the Cooperative Development of Aeronautical Meteorology in the Africa-Indian Ocean Region (CODEVMET-AFI), reinforcing its commitment to aviation safety, quality management systems and meteorological oversight across the Roberts Flight Information Region (FIR).
The high-level engagement, hosted in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and its Western and Central Africa Office (WACAF), brought together aviation stakeholders from Sierra Leone and the broader WACAF region. The initiative focused on addressing systemic gaps in meteorological services and aligning national practices with ICAO standards.
SLCAA Director General, Madam Musayeroh Barrie, expressed pride in Sierra Leone’s role as host of the mission and emphasized the country’s dedication to enhancing aeronautical meteorological services. “We are proud to have hosted the ICAO WACAF CODEVMET Mission. As we conclude this vital engagement, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening regulatory oversight and enhancing the quality management systems in MET services,” she stated.
The CODEVMET project supports African and Indian Ocean (AFI) states in improving meteorological oversight and implementing robust quality systems. It includes training aviation meteorological professionals, building databases of training needs and developing institutional capacities. The project is managed through a steering committee and specialized working groups with a particular focus on the WACAF region.
During the mission’s opening session, Madam Musayeroh Barrie highlighted the strategic importance of the cooperation, particularly in modernizing aviation data infrastructure and ensuring the safe exchange of meteorological information critical to air navigation. She commended the contributions of the White House Office and national partners, including the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency (SLMET), the Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA) and the Roberts FIR, which includes Guinea and Liberia under a regional airspace management framework.
Madam Musayeroh Barrie also underscored the need for seamless coordination among stakeholders, noting that while SLMET provides local weather services as the National Meteorological Centre, upper airspace monitoring and MWO responsibilities rest with the Roberts FIR. The SLAA, meanwhile, serves as the national Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), overseeing aerodrome and approach control services.
The ICAO WACAF mission carried out a comprehensive gap analysis of Sierra Leone’s current MET infrastructure, aiming to provide technical guidance for system upgrades, regulatory reform and capacity building. These enhancements are expected to align the country’s aviation standards with international norms and significantly boost safety outcomes.
Notably, the mission follows Sierra Leone’s successful hosting of the 4th CODEVMET-AFI Project Steering Committee Meeting in November 2023 at the Bintumani Conference Hall. At that event, Madam Musayeroh Barrie reaffirmed the nation’s resolve to fully implement the CODEVMET-AFI project, paving the way for deeper regional integration and technical advancement.
Under Madam Musayeroh Barrie’s leadership, the SLCAA has achieved several milestones in a relatively short period. These include:
- The development of a strategic action plan aimed at removing Sierra Leone from the European Union’s aviation safety list by early 2025, following productive consultations with the EU Safety Commission.
- The processing of the country’s first-ever Air Operator Certificate (AOC) application, signaling a new chapter in domestic aviation and boosting investor confidence in the sector.
- Specialized training for SLCAA personnel, including overseas technical training in Italy, to build a highly skilled and competent aviation workforce.
- A landmark management service agreement signed with ICAO during the 2024 Air Navigation Conference in Montreal. The agreement encompasses training programs and the establishment of an ICAO-accredited aviation training school in Sierra Leone.
“These achievements reflect our shared vision for a modern, safe and efficient aviation sector in Sierra Leone,” said Madam Musayeroh Barrie. “Through strategic partnerships and the tireless efforts of our dedicated team we are laying the foundation for a sustainable and thriving civil aviation industry.”
The ICAO WACAF CODEVMET Mission represents a critical juncture in Sierra Leone’s aviation transformation. With firm political will, a clear regulatory roadmap and robust inter-agency collaboration, the SLCAA continues to position Sierra Leone as an emerging hub for aviation excellence in the West African sub-region.
The outcomes of the mission will guide ongoing reforms, ensuring Sierra Leone’s civil aviation system meets global standards and contributes meaningfully to regional airspace safety and connectivity.
