By: Julius Konton and Joseph Kerkula
Royal Air Maroc has announced plans to commence air services linking Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, to major destinations in the People’s Republic of China beginning in 2026, marking a significant step in expanding Liberia’s international air connectivity and deepening economic engagement with Asia.
The announcement was made by Royal Air Maroc’s Country Manager in Liberia, Bencharki Omar, during a high-level technical meeting held on Saturday, December 12, 2025, at the Boulevard Palace in Monrovia.
According to Mr. Omar, the decision follows extensive market assessments conducted across Africa, with Liberia emerging as a strategic hub due to growing trade volumes, increased passenger demand, and a steadily expanding Chinese business and expatriate presence.
Industry data show that Africa–China trade exceeded US$280 billion in recent years, while air passenger traffic between Africa and Asia has grown by an estimated 8–10 percent annually, driven by commerce, education, tourism, and diplomatic exchanges.
Liberia, Mr. Omar noted, is increasingly positioned to benefit from these trends.
The proposed route will allow passengers departing from Monrovia to access multiple Chinese cities via Royal Air Maroc’s global network, significantly reducing travel time and transit complexity for business travelers, students, tourists, and government officials.
“This new connection will open Liberia to Asia in a more efficient and competitive way,” Mr. Omar said. “It will support trade, investment flows, cultural exchange, and people-to-people engagement between Liberia and China.”
Mr. Omar emphasized that the initiative reflects the strong and enduring bilateral relationship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Liberia, describing it as a partnership grounded in solidarity, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to Africa’s long-term development.
He further noted that Royal Air Maroc’s operations in Liberia are guided by the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, whose foreign policy places African cooperation, South–South integration, and intra-continental connectivity at the center of Morocco’s global engagement.
“Our presence in Liberia has never been purely commercial,” Mr. Omar said. “It is part of a broader commitment to stand with African nations, including Liberia, particularly during critical moments when support and connectivity matter most.”
Royal Air Maroc currently serves more than 100 destinations worldwide, with Casablanca positioned as a major transit hub linking Africa to Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Aviation analysts note that the addition of China-bound services from Monrovia could significantly enhance Liberia’s attractiveness to foreign investors and international travelers.
Liberia’s aviation and economic authorities view the planned route as a potential catalyst for growth, with improved air connectivity historically linked to increases in foreign direct investment, tourism receipts, and export competitiveness.
When operational in 2026, the Monrovia–China service is expected to strengthen Liberia’s role as an emerging gateway in West Africa, expand its participation in global supply chains, and further integrate the country into international air transport networks.
Editor’s Note
Liberia’s long-standing challenge of limited direct international air connectivity is poised for a strategic breakthrough.
The announcement by Royal Air Maroc of planned Monrovia–China air services beginning in 2026 signals more than a new route, it reflects Liberia’s gradual re-entry into global aviation networks and its growing relevance within Africa–Asia economic corridors.
As Africa–China trade surpasses US$280 billion and cross-continental passenger traffic continues to rise, improved air links are increasingly seen as a critical driver of investment, tourism, education, and diplomatic exchange.
For Liberia, direct access albeit via a global hub to major Chinese destinations could meaningfully reduce travel barriers that have historically constrained business and people-to-people engagement.
This development also highlights the expanding role of African carriers, particularly Royal Air Maroc, in advancing South–South cooperation and intra-African integration while connecting the continent to emerging global markets.
If successfully implemented, the planned service has the potential to reposition Monrovia as a viable gateway in West Africa and reinforce aviation as a pillar of Liberia’s economic modernization agenda.
The article that follows examines the implications of this announcement, situating it within broader regional trade trends, bilateral partnerships, and Liberia’s evolving connectivity ambitions.
