By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Madam Musayeroh Barrie, has spotlighted Sierra Leone’s growing role in African aviation at the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD 9).
Madam Musayeroh Barrie described the conference as an exciting opportunity for Africa’s aviation sector. “Exciting times ahead for Africa’s aviation sector! During TICAD 9, we focused on enhancing connectivity, sustainability and capacity building. Strategic partnerships like these are vital for SLCAA’s mission to elevate Sierra Leone’s aviation standards,” she said.
TICAD 9, held from August 20–22 in Yokohama, Japan, convened policymakers, regulators, operators and international partners under the theme “Civil Aviation Development in Africa and Strengthening Japan-Africa Cooperation.” The conference highlighted aviation’s strategic role as a driver of economic growth, regional integration and international connectivity, aligning with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At the conference, Madam Musayeroh Barrie outlined Sierra Leone’s aviation priorities:
- Capacity Building: Developing skilled African aviation professionals, particularly youth, through specialized training and mentorship programs.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Showcasing tangible progress, including the relaunch of Air Sierra Leone and the establishment of a direct Freetown–London air route.
- Digital Transformation: Integrating modern technologies into regulatory frameworks and operations to attract and prepare a digitally savvy workforce.
- Inclusive Leadership: Promoting gender diversity and youth empowerment, with her serving as a leading example as the youngest Civil Aviation Director General globally.
She emphasized the importance of sustainable, long-term partnerships between Africa and Japan, highlighting priority projects in air traffic surveillance and infrastructure financing, which can benefit from bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Madam Musayeroh Barrie’s presence at TICAD 9 builds on her active participation in the ICAO Next Generation of Aviation Professionals (NGAP) Global Summit 2025 in Durban, South Africa. At the summit, themed “The Flight Plan for Future Aviation Talent: Innovate, Educate, Inspire,” she stressed that African aviation must move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete strategies to empower young professionals and women. She also called for regulatory reforms to integrate advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, while ensuring solutions are accessible to all communities.
Highlighting Sierra Leone’s achievements, Madam Musayeroh Barrie cited the successful launch of Air Sierra Leone, which has boosted national pride, public interest and regional connectivity. She reaffirmed the SLCAA’s commitment to expanding aviation training, promoting gender diversity and aligning national strategies with ICAO’s NGAP framework to ensure a skilled, future-ready workforce.
“As the youngest Civil Aviation Director General in the world, I carry both the responsibility and the privilege of ensuring Sierra Leone’s aviation story is one of progress, inclusion and sustainability,” Madam Musayeroh Barrie told delegates. “The future of work in aviation is about people and Sierra Leone is preparing its people for that future.”
Sierra Leone’s engagement at TICAD 9 demonstrates its ambition to lead in shaping Africa’s aviation sector, strengthening international partnerships and fostering innovation and inclusion under Madam Musayeroh Barrie’s visionary leadership.
