1 Comment 
Statistics Sierra Leone has revealed that more than $15 million will be needed to carry out the country’s next national population and housing census, slated for 2026.
The disclosure was made by Statistician General Andrew Bob Johnny during a consultative workshop in Freetown, aimed at gathering input from data users and producers ahead of the exercise. He said the engagement was crucial to tailoring the census tools and outcomes to meet real-world demands.
Mr. Johnny provided a comprehensive and transparent update on the preparations for the 2026 Census. He highlighted the Government of Sierra Leone’s financial commitment of over $22 million, which covers critical areas such as cartographic mapping, census publicity, procurement of IT infrastructure, and general planning and logistics.
However, he also pointed out a funding gap of $15 million and appealed to the international donor community and private sector to support this essential national effort.
“This early stage consultation ensures the census is not only statistically sound but also relevant to policymakers, researchers, and development planners,” Johnny stated.
The 2026 census is expected to generate vital data on population demographics, housing conditions, and socio-economic indicators data that will shape national development policies for years to come.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams, emphasized the importance of the census in driving equitable development. He described the exercise as a foundation for good governance and inclusive growth.
“Accurate population data enables governments to make informed decisions. Without it, we risk missing the mark on development priorities,” he said, urging development partners to support the process.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a long-time partner of Statistics Sierra Leone, reiterated its commitment to supporting the census technically and financially. UNFPA representative Samuel Palmer highlighted the agency’s past contributions and pledged continued backing to ensure the 2026 count is credible and comprehensive.
He stressed that quality data is not just a national asset but a global necessity especially for tracking progress on the Sustainable Development Goals.
Shame 😔 on you all but my question is, what had happened to the past censored to the of people and their houses in Sierra Leone? Even those that you are imitating or confusing you all everyday and night don’t spend any cent for no census of houses and their citizens, because they did once and maintain their system. But Sierra Leone past and present governments are just confusing themselves and the people. Can you imagine what $15 millions of dollars can do for the people of Sierra Leone to improve their homes and their country as a whole that you guys trying to misusing on counting the citizens and their houses? For how long Sierra Leone citizens been count and they never have or know their accurate population? Anyone else can try this out there to ask from Sierra Leone to those in the diaspora; what is the population of Sierra Leone? I’m sure the person will get different figures that will surprise the world with shame to some of us. Why because the statistics of births and deaths had never been accurate and will never be accurate as far as you all waiting for the westerns donations to full your pockets and not doing the right thing to stop elections corruption. All these nonsense census is leading to corrupt all the elections in that nation. Stop feeling inferior and copy from the Sahel states to think and grow rich with your citizens.