By: Saidu Jalloh
In a significant step toward delivering Sierra Leone’s most inclusive and data-driven Population and Housing Census (PHC) to date, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has launched a two-day national consultation workshop engaging data users and producers across the country. The event began on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown and concludes today, Friday, July 25.
The workshop brings together a diverse mix of stakeholders including government officials, development partners, researchers, civil society organizations, and private sector actors to ensure that the 2026 census aligns with the country’s evolving data needs. The initiative is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the wider UN system, and the World Bank, and it follows global best practices endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Division (UNSD).
Set to be the country’s 8th census since independence, the 2026 PHC is expected to deliver critical data on population demographics, housing conditions, living standards, and key socio-economic indicators. These insights will inform national development planning, policy formulation, humanitarian efforts, poverty reduction strategies, and international reporting obligations including those related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Opening the workshop, Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, emphasized the importance of the census.
“It is not just a statistical exercise it is central to good governance, equitable development, and evidence-based decision-making,” he stated.
“Without accurate, timely, and globally comparable data, we risk leaving behind vulnerable populations and underestimating national challenges.”
He reaffirmed the government’s strong commitment to the process, citing President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership in establishing a robust legal and institutional framework, supported by coordination teams and ongoing resource mobilization.
Statistician General Andrew Bob Johnny provided a comprehensive overview of the project’s financial and operational status. The total census budget stands at approximately $37.97 million, of which the Government of Sierra Leone has pledged $22.33 million. However, donor contributions currently amount to just $233,917 leaving a significant funding gap of about $15.4 million.
The most underfunded component is the Main Enumeration and Data Analysis phase, projected at $10.9 million, which currently has no financial backing. Other areas with major shortfalls include Cartography ($2.5 million), Publicity ($1.12 million), and Planning, Coordination & Logistics ($736,000). A notable exception is the IT Equipment segment, which is fully funded by the government at a cost of $14.3 million.
Johnny also presented the pre-census procurement inventory, which includes 98 ESRI licenses with 200 hours of technical support, high-resolution satellite imagery, 40 vehicles and 38 motorbikes, 200 laptops and 20 Starlink internet devices
“This pre-census engagement is absolutely critical,” Johnny said.
“Errors at this stage could take a decade to fix. We are here to ensure the questionnaire is not just technically sound, but also aligned with national development priorities from reducing maternal mortality to improving agricultural access,” he stated.
UNFPA Country Representative Samuel Palmer echoed this message, emphasizing the long-standing partnership between UNFPA and Sierra Leone in strengthening national data systems.
“Strong data is the backbone of effective policy,” he noted, referencing the successful 2019 Demographic and Health Survey as a key example. He added that robust census data could help address issues such as gender-based violence, reproductive health, and youth development.
Chairman of Stats SL, Moses Williams, welcomed participants and emphasized their vital role in shaping a people-centered census. “You are the brain of this process. If any component fails, the entire exercise is at risk,” he said.
Williams encouraged participants to provide open and thoughtful input, particularly on inclusive topics such as gender, disability, education, health, and agriculture. He expressed confidence that the workshop would help refine key planning tools and deepen understanding of user needs.
As the workshop concludes, participants are completing an online questionnaire to share their data priorities and preferences for how the 2026 census results should be presented. Stats SL will use this input to tailor its tools and develop a user-focused dissemination strategy. Additional feedback may be submitted in writing after the event.
All sessions are being moderated and documented, and a comprehensive summary of user needs will be published on the Stats SL website and shared with key partners.
This Users and Producers Data Consultation Workshop marks a critical milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to modernize its national data systems. With broad participation and meaningful dialogue, the 2026 Population and Housing Census aims not only to count people but to count for them.