The Sierra Leone Presidency announced on Sunday, March 5, that the government has inaugurated a new $270 million airport terminal.

In order to carry out its New Direction program, Sierra Leone is implementing several measures that aim to develop all sectors of the country's economy. The civil aviation system, which the authorities want to be solid and economically viable, is one of the sectors benefiting from these reforms. The initiative is part of the government's “New Direction” program, one of whose objectives is to “develop a solid and transparent regional air transport system that is safe, reliable, efficient, affordable, well-connected in West Africa and integrated into the global network.”

According to Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, “this airport is bigger and modern and it was built with zero cents in debt. It is a “build, operate, and transfer” system. The Turkish government used its own money to build this brand-new terminal and new facilities. We don't owe them anything. After operating the airport for a few years, they will give it to us.”