Sierra Leone’s transport minister has urged aviation authorities and industry operators to intensify preparations for the 2027 International Civil Aviation Organization safety oversight audit, saying the country must improve on its previous performance.

During a high-level meeting with the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) and representatives of aviation sector institutions, Minister of Transport and Aviation Ambassador Col. (Rtd.) Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq. described the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) as a national priority requiring coordinated action across the industry.

According to the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the minister said Sierra Leone should build on the results of its last ICAO audit by taking advantage of expanded institutional capacity, upgraded equipment and the entry of new aviation operators.

“We have a huge task ahead of us. We must improve on our previous figures. During the last ICAO audit, Sierra Leone scored 71 % on safety and 72 % on security ratings. We now have new operators, modern equipment and stronger institutional capacity, so we must do better. We are moving from where we are to the top, and that will only happen through hard work, coordination and commitment,” the Minister said.

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Turay called on the SLCAA, airport authorities, airlines, ground handling companies, security agencies and other aviation stakeholders to strengthen compliance with international safety, security and operational requirements as part of preparations for the 2027 assessment.

The ministry said the government remains committed to improving the country’s aviation sector through continued investment, regulatory reforms and closer collaboration with industry stakeholders to strengthen Sierra Leone’s standing as a safe and dependable aviation destination in the region.

SLCAA Director General Madam Musayeroh Barrie also emphasized the significance of the audit, describing it as a national exercise that demonstrates the country’s adherence to global aviation standards.

“This is a very important event for the State, so we need to take it very seriously,” she said, urging all aviation operators and regulatory agencies to work collectively to ensure Sierra Leone records an improved outcome during the 2027 audit.

The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation to work alongside the SLCAA and aviation stakeholders to strengthen regulatory oversight, enhance aviation safety and security, and improve Sierra Leone’s ICAO compliance score, according to the ministry.