SL Tourism Minister Participates in High-Level Africa Conference on Air Connectivity and Tourism in Luanda
Representing the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Honourable Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Madam Nabeela Farida Tunis, has joined fellow African Tourism and Transport Ministers, aviation industry leaders, and key public and private stakeholders at the 2nd UN Tourism and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, currently underway in Luanda, Angola.
The high-level gathering—convened under the theme of “Fostering Seamless Travel and Intra-African Connectivity”—is a significant step toward unlocking the full potential of Africa’s air transport and tourism sectors. The conference aims to tackle long-standing barriers hindering intra-African travel, particularly poor air connectivity, high operational costs, limited investment in infrastructure, and restrictive aviation policies.
For Sierra Leone, this platform offers a dual opportunity: to advocate for stronger regional air connectivity and to promote the country as a fast-emerging tourism destination aligned with sustainable growth, innovation, and regional integration.
“Sierra Leone is here to contribute to the collective vision of an Africa that is connected, accessible, and economically vibrant through tourism and aviation,” said Minister Tunis. “The future of African tourism depends heavily on our ability to move people, goods, and ideas swiftly and safely across borders. That starts with strategic alignment between air transport and tourism policies.”
Key Focus Areas of the Conference
Throughout the multi-day event, delegates are engaging in deep-dive discussions and technical sessions centered on the following priority themes:
- Leveraging Technology and Innovation to Shape the Future of Tourism and Air Transport
- Advancing Air Transport through Tourism in Africa
- Investment in Tourism and Air Transport Infrastructure
- Strengthening Regional Integration and Accessibility
- Aligning Air Transport and Policy for Seamless Travel
- Improving Mobility and Accessibility for Tourists and Citizens Alike
- Fostering Resilient and Sustainable Growth across the continent
These themes are being tackled by a cross-section of industry experts, policymakers, airline executives, airport authorities, and international development partners, with the shared goal of making African airspace more integrated and its tourism offerings more competitive.
Minister Tunis to Join High-Level Panel Discussion
A major highlight of today’s proceedings is the ministerial high-level panel discussion on the theme: “Tourism as a Catalyst: Aligning Air Transport and Policy for Seamless Travel in Africa.” Minister Nabeela Farida Tunis will join a distinguished lineup of leaders on stage, including:
- H.E. Mr. Marclo de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of Angola
- H.E. Dr. Jose Luis Sa Nogueira, Minister of Tourism and Transport of Côte d’Ivoire
- Ms. Nompumelelo (Mpumi) Z. Mpofu, Chief Executive Officer of Airports Company South Africa
This panel will explore how harmonized policies, smarter visa regimes, investment incentives, and multilateral aviation agreements—such as the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)—can jointly enhance tourism flows and stimulate economic growth across the continent.
Sierra Leone’s Vision for Integrated Tourism and Transport
Sierra Leone’s presence at the conference signals a bold commitment to tourism-driven economic diversification, with air transport recognized as a critical enabler. Under the leadership of Minister Tunis, the country has made strides in positioning itself as a sustainable, culturally rich, and investor-friendly destination.
As a country bordered by the Atlantic and blessed with pristine beaches, historical landmarks, and warm hospitality, Sierra Leone continues to work toward:
- Expanding international and regional flight connectivity,
- Improving airport and tourism infrastructure,
- Attracting private sector investment, and
- Enhancing the visitor experience through policy reform and capacity-building.
“We are here to engage, to learn, and to partner,” Minister Tunis noted. “Africa’s tourism story cannot be told in isolation. It is a shared narrative—one that must be underpinned by movement, mutual trust, and infrastructure that brings people and cultures together.”
A Step Forward for Regional Collaboration
As African nations work toward implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and boosting economic integration, conferences like this underscore the central role that tourism and air transport must play. The UN Tourism–ICAO platform provides not only an arena for dialogue but also a mechanism for action—one that Sierra Leone intends to fully embrace.
Sierra Leone’s active engagement in the conference reaffirms its place in the pan-African conversation on connectivity, development, and opportunity, as well as its commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral partnerships across aviation, tourism, and cultural diplomacy.
