Sierra Leone begins 50-day countdown to 2026 digital census

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has entered a 50-day countdown to the 2026 Population and Housing Census, with Census Night scheduled for December 1, 2026. The agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is intensifying preparations to ensure a credible and inclusive national count.

To facilitate a fully digital enumeration, the government has funded the procurement of 25,000 branded tablets, power banks, and protective cases. These devices, which arrive alongside an earlier batch of 4,000 tablets used for cartographic mapping, will serve as the primary platform for field personnel to collect, validate, and transmit data directly from households. The shift to digital collection aims to improve accuracy, increase operational efficiency, and reduce errors through built-in validation checks.

Key milestones completed in preparation include cartographic mapping, a pilot census, and a mock census conducted in July 2026. Officials have emphasized the importance of public trust and confidentiality, urging citizens and community leaders to support the process to ensure no individual or household is excluded.