Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) will commence a 10-day nationwide training program for field officers in support of its national cartographic mapping exercise.

The training initiative marks a foundational step toward delivering a credible, inclusive, and technologically driven 2026 Census.

Statistics SL said the training exercise will run from Monday, 22nd September to Wednesday, 1st October 2025, and will take place simultaneously across all regional centers: Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Port Loko, and the Western Area (Rural and Urban).

The training is designed to equip selected field personnel with both the technical and practical skills needed for accurate and standardized cartographic mapping across the country.

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They said that participants will be trained in the use of modern digital tools, including GPS-enabled devices and Geographic Information System (GIS) software (EADPad), to effectively: Delineate Enumeration Areas (EAs), Update boundary and geographic data, Identify and map dwellings, households, and community structures

According to Stats, this preparatory work is essential to ensure every household, settlement, and structure in Sierra Leone is captured accurately. It lays the groundwork for comprehensive national coverage, helps prevent undercounting or duplication, and enables efficient deployment of census personnel and resources.

Cartographic mapping involves the creation of detailed, accurate maps that represent the geographic layout of an area. For census purposes, this means dividing the country into manageable Enumeration Areas (EAs), each assigned to a single enumerator.

The process is central to the credibility and accuracy of the census, ensuring that no individual or community, urban, rural, or remote, is left uncounted or underrepresented.

The 2026 Population and Housing Census will be a vital tool for national planning, policy-making, and development programming. A robust cartographic foundation is key to achieving these national goals.