By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has announced the postponement of the 2026 Decennial Population and Housing Census to December 2026 following recommendations from an independent assessment mission led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the U.S. Census Bureau, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
The assessment mission, conducted in January 2025, evaluated Sierra Leone’s preparedness for the census and concluded that, while Stats SL possesses adequate capacity, additional technical assistance from international partners would be beneficial. However, due to logistical constraints and existing commitments for 2025, such assistance could not be provided within the original timeframe.
Consequently, the initial timeline for the census was deemed unfeasible, particularly due to critical processes such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) deployment and Information Technology infrastructure setup, which require more time and international support. Development partners also indicated their ability to actively participate only in 2026, further reinforcing the need for rescheduling.
Following consultations with the Government, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, and key stakeholders, Stats SL officially revised the census date to December 2026. As part of the transition, a pilot census is scheduled for December 2025 to ensure that all systems and methodologies function effectively before the main enumeration.
Organizational and Administrative Preparations Underway
To ensure a smooth census process, Stats SL has already established several key committees, including an Advisory Committee comprising representatives from political parties, development partners, and government institutions; a Technical Committee to provide expert guidance; and a Publicity Committee responsible for public engagement and information dissemination. Additionally, District Census Management Committees have been formed to coordinate efforts at the local level.
Efforts to finalize the Decennial Census Project Document are also nearing completion. This comprehensive framework outlines census methodologies, budgeting, publicity strategies, and resource allocation. It has been shared with international partners for review and will be made publicly available to uphold transparency.
Training and Implementation Plans Move Forward
Stats SL has commenced preparations for cartographic mapping, a crucial component of the census. On May 12, 2025, a ten-day training program for Master Trainers in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Cartographic Mapping was launched in Bo. These trainers will subsequently lead regional and district-level training sessions to ensure consistency in census mapping procedures.
The cartographic mapping exercise is set to begin in July 2025, while the pilot census will take place in December 2025, exactly one year before the main enumeration.
Stats SL has assured the public of its commitment to transparency and engagement throughout the census planning process, promising monthly updates on key milestones leading up to the 2026 Population and Housing Census.