Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has received 25,000 tablets, power banks and protective cases as preparations intensify for the December 2026 Population and Housing Census.
The equipment, procured and fully funded by the Government of Sierra Leone, is expected to support the digital collection, validation and transmission of census data during the national enumeration exercise.
The latest consignment adds to the 4,000 tablets received in 2025 for the national cartographic mapping exercise, further strengthening Stats SL’s technological capacity ahead of the main census data-collection exercise.
The tablets will serve as the primary devices for electronic data collection, allowing census personnel to capture and transmit information directly from the field. The digital system is also expected to improve the efficiency, accuracy and timeliness of the census while reducing reliance on paper questionnaires and manual data entry.
Built-in validation features will help field personnel and supervisors identify and address errors or inconsistencies during the enumeration process, supporting overall data quality.
Speaking during the official receipt of the equipment were the Chief Technical Adviser for the 2026 Census, Dr. Colins Opiyo; Director of Communication and Public Relations, Samuel Ansumana; and Officer-in-Charge of Operations and Logistics, Moses Johnson.
They described the arrival of the 25,000 tablets as a major milestone in the technical and operational preparations for the census, noting that the devices will be central to the digital data-collection process.
Stats SL said it remains committed to conducting a credible, accurate, reliable and inclusive 2026 Population and Housing Census that reflects the realities of people and communities across Sierra Leone.
The institution is continuing to strengthen its systems, processes, technology and technical preparations to ensure that the census meets required standards of quality and integrity and produces reliable data for national planning, policy development and evidence-based decision-making.
Stats SL has called on the public to support the census by providing accurate information, cooperating with census personnel and ensuring that every household and person is properly counted.
The national census is scheduled for December 2026, with its success depending on the active participation and cooperation of the public.