Statistics Sierra Leone, with support from United Nations Population Fund, convened meetings of the Census Technical Committee and Census Advisory Committee on May 19 and 20, 2026, at the New Brookfields Hotel as part of ongoing preparations for the country’s 2026 Population and Housing Census.

The meetings brought together government officials, development partners, technical experts and key stakeholders to review progress made in the census process and discuss strategies aimed at ensuring a transparent, inclusive and credible national census.

Discussions during the sessions focused on updates from the national cartographic mapping exercise and findings from the pilot census conducted in December 2025. Participants also examined operational challenges, strategic priorities and recommendations intended to support the successful implementation of the nationwide census exercise.

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Delivering his welcome address, Andrew Bob Johnny, Statistician General and Chief Census Officer, described the meetings as an important milestone in efforts to deliver a credible, transparent and inclusive census process.

He emphasized the significance of the two committees in maintaining international standards and ensuring the availability of reliable population data to support national planning and sustainable development.

Mr. Johnny also expressed appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone and development partners for their continued support toward the census process.

Chairman of the Stats SL Council, Moses Williams, encouraged committee members to contribute actively to discussions and uphold professionalism, transparency and political neutrality throughout the census exercise.

Speaking on behalf of UNFPA, Kunle Adeniyi commended Statistics Sierra Leone and the Government of Sierra Leone for their commitment to the census process.

He highlighted the importance of a credible census in strengthening evidence-based planning, policymaking, equitable resource distribution and sustainable national development. Mr. Adeniyi further reaffirmed UNFPA’s continued technical and operational support toward ensuring a transparent and inclusive census.

Also addressing the meeting, Asdis Bjarnadottir noted the importance of sustained donor support and stronger collaboration among development partners to address funding gaps affecting the census process.

The Embassy of Iceland is among development partners providing financial support for the 2026 Population and Housing Census.

Other contributors at the meetings included Sibeso Mululuma, Chief Technical Adviser for the 2026 Census Dr. Collins Opiyo, Senior Economist at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development Manso Kargbo, and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Musa Fofanah.

The meetings also featured technical presentations from census officials and experts. Deputy Statistician General Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh presented updates on the overall progress of the census process.

A virtual presentation was delivered by Boima Sonii, a member of the independent monitoring team assembled by UNFPA to assess the December 2025 pilot census. His presentation focused on findings and recommendations contained in the Independent Monitoring Report.

Cartographic and GIS consultant Dr. Foluke Adebayo presented updates on the national cartographic mapping exercise, while Director of Censuses and GIS and National Census Coordinator, Abdulai Salia Brima, shared lessons learned and outcomes from the pilot census exercise.

Participants engaged in interactive discussions and provided recommendations intended to guide the next phases of the census implementation process.

According to Statistics Sierra Leone, the Census Advisory Committee is responsible for providing policy guidance, supporting resource mobilization and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders, while the Technical Committee reviews census instruments and monitors implementation activities.

The meetings concluded with renewed commitment from the Government of Sierra Leone, development partners, technical experts and stakeholders toward delivering a credible, inclusive and internationally accepted 2026 Population and Housing Census capable of generating accurate data for national planning and sustainable development.

The 2026 census campaign continues under the theme: “Census 2026: Leh Den Kont You Oh!”