By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has officially welcomed a high-level delegation from the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Western and Central Africa Office (ICAO WACAF) to Sierra Leone on Tuesday 20th May, 2025 as part of a critical assessment mission. The visit marks a major step toward strengthening the country’s meteorological infrastructure and aviation regulatory framework.
The ICAO WACAF assessment mission is focused on conducting a comprehensive gap analysis of Sierra Leone’s current meteorological systems and aviation data infrastructure. It aims to provide recommendations for regulatory enhancement, capacity building and technical improvements that will align Sierra Leone’s civil aviation operations with international standards.
During the opening session held in Freetown, SLCAA Director General Madam Musayeroh Barrie reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to aviation sector reform and modernization. She acknowledged the pivotal role played by the White House Office in facilitating the mission and extended gratitude to all key national stakeholders who have dedicated their time and resources to the process.
In her remarks, SLCAA Director General highlighted that the mission will concentrate on improving systems that support the exchange and distribution of aviation data, a critical area for ensuring the safety and efficiency of air navigation services. She emphasized that this initiative is not only timely but essential, as it will identify the gaps within the current system and guide efforts toward achieving operational excellence.
She further noted that Sierra Leone is part of a broader airspace management arrangement under the Roberts Flight Information Region (FIAR), a technical cooperation agreement that includes Liberia and Guinea. Within this shared framework, the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency (SLMET) operates as the National Meteorological Center, responsible for providing local weather services. However, the responsibility for Meteorological Watch Office (MWO) services, particularly in the upper airspace, lies with Roberts FIAR.
In addition, the Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA) serves as the designated Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) within the country, managing aerodrome and approach control services. This coordinated structure makes inter-agency collaboration crucial and she underscored the importance of strong partnerships between SLMET, SLAA and Roberts FIAR to ensure seamless service delivery.
The Director General also used the opportunity to express her confidence in the professionalism and dedication of the SLCAA team. She described the Authority as being staffed by a proactive and competent workforce committed to fulfilling its regulatory responsibilities and contributing to the overall success of the mission. She assured stakeholders and the visiting delegation that SLCAA would continue to provide unwavering support to ensure the mission achieves its objectives.
She concluded by welcoming the ICAO WACAF team once again to Sierra Leone and expressed hope that the group-building activities and technical engagements planned during the visit would be fruitful and impactful.
The ICAO WACAF assessment mission is expected to produce a detailed analysis of Sierra Leone’s meteorological and regulatory landscape, helping to chart a path toward sustainable improvements. It also reinforces Sierra Leone’s broader goal of enhancing aviation safety, building technical capacity and aligning its civil aviation operations with global best practices.
The mission continues to advance with full cooperation and engagement from all key stakeholders, including SLCAA, SLMET, SLAA and Roberts FIAR, who are committed to ensuring a successful outcome that will benefit not only Sierra Leone but the wider West African aviation community.
