By By: Staff Writer
Monrovia, Liberia — The Government of Liberia has formally opened bidding for the redevelopment of Roberts International Airport, unveiling an international competitive tender to modernize the country’s main gateway under a 25-year public-private concession.
The Ministry of Transport and the Liberia Airport Authority announced the procurement this week. The project will be structured under a Finance-Design-Build-Operate-Transfer, or FDBOT, model. Under the arrangement, the winning bidder will finance, design, construct and operate the expanded airport for 25 years before transferring it back to the state. The National Investment Commission is overseeing the procurement process, with Meinhardt (Malta) Pvt. Ltd. appointed as transaction advisor to manage the bidding.
Local and international firms interested in the concession must purchase tender documents for a non-refundable fee of US$5,000 and complete all required documentation. The process includes mandatory site visits, a window for submitting technical and financial queries, and a final submission deadline of November 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. GMT. All bids are to be delivered to the National Investment Commission in line with specifications in the tender document.
Government officials say the expansion is intended to transform RIA into a modern regional hub. Key objectives include upgrading passenger terminals and cargo facilities, improving safety and service standards, and attracting private capital to the aviation sector. Authorities expect the project to create jobs, boost tourism and trade, and strengthen Liberia’s connectivity to West Africa and beyond.
The launch comes as Liberia pushes to close its infrastructure financing gap through private sector participation. With RIA serving as the country’s only major international airport, the outcome of the tender is expected to determine the pace of aviation growth for the next two decades. The NIC said it will publish further updates on pre-bid meetings and site visits in the coming weeks.
