Statistics Sierra Leone receives 25,000 tablets for 2026 digital census

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has received 25,000 tablets, power banks, and protective cases to support the country’s fully digital 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC). The equipment, funded by the Government of Sierra Leone, is intended to serve as the primary data-collection tools for the national enumeration exercise scheduled for December.

This latest delivery brings the total number of tablets received by Stats SL to 29,000, following an initial 4,000 tablets provided in 2025 for cartographic mapping. The transition to a digital system is designed to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of data collection by reducing reliance on paper questionnaires and manual entry. The devices include built-in validation features to help field personnel and supervisors identify and correct errors during the process.

Officials, including Chief Technical Adviser Dr. Colins Opiyo, noted that the arrival of this equipment marks a significant milestone in the technical and operational preparations for the census. The agency aims to conduct a credible and inclusive census that accurately reflects the demographic and socio-economic realities of Sierra Leonean communities.