By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
Freetown, Sierra Leone – Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has released the official timeline for the 2026 Housing and Population Census, outlining critical activities leading up to the nationwide enumeration scheduled for December 2026.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Stats SL highlighted ongoing preparations, including cartographic mapping set to begin in July 2025 and the completion of Master Trainer training. The recruitment of cartographers is also in progress, with over 11,000 applications received so far.
Committees Established for Census Oversight
To ensure the smooth execution of the census, Stats SL has established several statutory committees, including the Technical Committee, Advisory Committee, Publicity Committee, and District Census Committees. The committees are composed of representatives from political parties, civil society organizations, journalists, and key government institutions.
The statement recalled that these organizational structures were initiated in October 2024, shortly after President Julius Maada Bio formally proclaimed the census. Stats SL emphasized the importance of broad stakeholder involvement to promote transparency and credibility in the process.
Pilot Census Set for December 2025
As part of its preparations, Stats SL has scheduled a pilot census for December 2025—exactly one year ahead of the main enumeration—to test methodologies and ensure readiness for the full-scale census.
Stats SL reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the public informed through regular updates. “Our goal is to listen, engage, and address concerns constructively, while upholding the integrity and nonpartisan nature of the census. We invite all stakeholders, communities, and individuals to actively participate in this important national effort,” the statement concluded.