Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA), Madam Musayeroh Barrie, has been recognised among Sierra Leone’s influential women, with her leadership increasingly linked to reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s aviation sector.

Barrie was listed among the 100 shortlisted nominees for the ninth edition of the 50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Awards in 2026. The organisers said the selection followed a nationwide nomination process that attracted 2,006 nominations.

The 2026 shortlist places Barrie at No. 31 and identifies her as Director General of the SLCAA. The organisers said the final selection would be based on professional achievement, impact, leadership and contribution to national development, alongside public voting.

The recognition comes as Barrie continues to oversee efforts to strengthen aviation regulation, safety oversight, institutional capacity and international cooperation.

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Barrie became the first woman appointed Director General of the SLCAA in August 2023. The Authority’s official profile credits her administration with the reintroduction of Air Sierra Leone, the issuance of Sierra Leone’s first Air Operator Certificate since 2008 and the restoration of direct flights between Freetown and London.

The London connection was restored in April 2025, while the SLCAA has described the development of a national aviation master plan as part of its broader efforts to modernise the sector.

The Authority has also strengthened its technical relationship with the International Civil Aviation Organisation. According to the SLCAA, a Management Service Agreement signed in 2024 is supporting capacity building and the development of strategic aviation plans, including the Civil Aviation Master Plan, National Aviation Safety Plan and National Air Navigation Plan.

Barrie’s leadership has also extended to youth and gender inclusion. The SLCAA says more than half of its workforce is under 40, while more than 40% are below 35, reflecting an emphasis on developing younger aviation professionals.

Her profile has also gained wider international attention. In January 2026, the SLCAA said Barrie was invited to deliver a keynote address at an ICAO High-Level Youth Summit in Montréal, where she addressed young aviation professionals and policymakers on building a sustainable future for the industry.

More recently, her leadership was highlighted during Sierra Leone’s hosting of the 2026 ECOWAS Summit. The SLCAA coordinated aviation operations at Freetown International Airport as visiting heads of state, government officials and other delegations arrived for the regional gathering.

Reports on the operation said the Authority worked with airport operators, security agencies, government institutions and other aviation stakeholders to prepare for the increased movement of official aircraft while maintaining commercial flight operations.

The SLCAA also deployed a drone-detection system capable of detecting, tracking and locating unauthorised unmanned aircraft within a reported 20-kilometre radius of the airport, adding another layer of security during the summit.

The recognition of Barrie therefore comes against the backdrop of a series of regulatory, operational and institutional developments within Sierra Leone’s aviation sector.

The 50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Awards organisers scheduled the 2026 ceremony for July 18 at the Bintumani International Conference Centre.

However, available official and published records do not independently confirm the claim that Barrie was ranked eighth among the final 10 honorees or that the recognition was announced on August 22, 2026. The verified 2026 awards information currently identifies her as a shortlisted nominee at No. 31.

A separate SLCAA announcement confirms that Barrie was named among the 50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women in 2025, when the eighth edition of the awards was held.

The distinction between the 2025 recognition and the 2026 shortlist is important to ensure that reporting on Barrie’s latest recognition accurately reflects the available records.