Democratic Republic of Congo begins preparations for second national census

The Democratic Republic of Congo's government, led by Minister of State for Planning Guylain Nyembo, is preparing the country's second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH‑2), the first since 1984. President Félix Tshisekedi and UNFPA representative Alain Akpadji discussed technical and financial support, with UN agencies and Ivory Coast pledging assistance. The census, set to start in August 2026, will be conducted in four phases over at least three years, using satellite imagery, demographic intelligence and modern ICT tools to collect exhaustive data.

Funding for the operation totals about $192.9 million, contributed by the Congolese state ($30 m), the World Bank ($95 m), the African Development Bank ($50 m), UNFPA‑UNICEF ($3 m) and an outstanding $14.9 m gap being mobilised. Nyembo held sensitisation sessions with senators and deputies to secure parliamentary backing. The data are intended to inform policies in health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and social services.