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Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has officially commenced a nationwide cartographic mapping exercise, a critical first step in preparing for the 2026 Population and Housing Census (PHC 2026).
The initiative, which begins in October 2025, will see trained field teams deployed to urban and rural communities across the country to establish the geographic framework for the census.
The Statistician-General and Chief Census Officer, Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, announced the launch, underscoring the operation’s importance. “This foundational phase is crucial to delivering a credible, inclusive, and comprehensive census,” Mr. Johnny stated. He emphasized that the success of the entire 2026 Census depends on the accuracy of this mapping, calling on all stakeholders to support the operation.
The primary goals of the mapping are to identify and delineate enumeration areas and to systematically number all localities and physical structures. This process ensures that every individual and household is counted once and in the correct location during the main census.
According to Stats SL, accurate mapping enables effective national planning, equitable resource allocation, and guarantees full geographic coverage. The data collected will inform policy and investment decisions in key sectors such as education, health, infrastructure, and social protection.
Field staff will be identifiable by official Census ID cards, branded attire, and digital tablets for data collection. Stats SL is appealing to residents, community leaders, traditional authorities, and local government officials to verify the identification of mapping teams and provide their full cooperation.
“Community engagement is essential to produce reliable data that will drive national development,” the agency noted, encouraging the public to support the teams to lay the groundwork for a successful PHC 2026.
