Guinea launches first General Business Census

The Guinean government has officially launched the first General Business Census (RGE-1) in Conakry. Managed by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) under the Ministry of Planning, International Cooperation, and Development, the initiative aims to identify, characterize, and geolocate both formal and informal economic units across the country.

The census will deploy 1,000 enumerators over a two-month period to cover urban and rural areas. It targets companies, individual enterprises, production units with fixed locations, and non-profit institutions. The goal is to create a national statistical directory and gather reliable data on activities, employment, investments, turnover, and operating conditions.

Minister Ismaël Nabé emphasized that the RGE-1 is an instrument for knowledge, planning, and support rather than a tool for control. He noted that the operation provides a “photograph” of the economy, which is a critical step in implementing the Simandou 2040 program. The census will specifically focus on mapping the real economy, including SMEs, artisans, traders, and young entrepreneurs.