By George M.O. Williams
Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats-SL) in a statement on Friday, January 11, 2025, announced that it is hosting a team of technical experts from the United States Census Bureau, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in New York, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
The experts are conducting an assessment and support mission for the 2025 Sierra Leone Population and Housing Census (SLPHC).
This initiative came following the proclamation of the 2025 SLPHC by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on September 9, 2024.
The assessment mission began on Monday, January 13, 2025, and will conclude on Friday, January 17, 2025. It is a pivotal step in evaluating and strengthening Sierra Leone’s digital census infrastructure.
The mission aims to review key components of the census process. These include logistics, technological infrastructure, legal frameworks, human resources, and stakeholder engagement. The seven-member delegation will identify strengths and weaknesses and recommend areas for improvement to ensure the 2025 census meets international standards for digital data collection.
The 2025 Digital Census represents a significant milestone for Sierra Leone, building on lessons learned from the 2021 Digital Mid-Term Census. Transitioning to a fully digital process, the country aims to modernize its data collection methods, enhance data accuracy, and improve the timeliness and accessibility of census results.
Through this initiative, Sierra Leone seeks to strengthen its national statistical system, enabling more effective national development planning and evidence-based policymaking.
This mission underscores the country’s commitment to advancing its digital capabilities and ensuring the 2025 census aligns with global best practices.