By Kadijatu Bangura | D.S Reporter
FREETOWN — Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has received 25,000 tablets, power banks and protective cases to power the fully digital 2026 Population and Housing Census scheduled for December.
The equipment, procured with funding from the Government of Sierra Leone, will serve as the primary data collection tool during the nationwide enumeration.
The consignment brings the total number of tablets received for the census programme to 29,000, following an earlier delivery of 4,000 tablets in 2025 for the national cartographic mapping exercise.
Stats SL says the arrival of the devices marks a major milestone in its technical and operational readiness for the census, and will boost efficiency, accuracy and speed in data collection.
The tablets will allow field staff to collect, validate and transmit data electronically in real time, reducing reliance on paper questionnaires and manual data entry. Built-in validation features will also help personnel and supervisors detect and correct errors and inconsistencies during enumeration.
Speaking during the official handing over of the equipment, Chief Technical Adviser for the 2026 Census, Dr. Colins Opiyo, Director of Communication and Public Relations, Samuel Ansumana, and Officer-in-Charge of Operations and Logistics, Moses Johnson, described the delivery as a critical step towards a credible digital census.
Stats SL reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a credible, accurate, reliable and inclusive census that reflects the demographic and socio-economic realities of communities across the country.
The institution noted that it is continuing to strengthen its systems, technology and technical capacity ahead of the exercise, with the outcome expected to support national planning, policy formulation and evidence-based decision-making.
Stats SL has appealed to the public to cooperate with census personnel and provide accurate information to ensure every household and individual is counted.
Census Night is slated for 1st December 2026, with enumeration to commence on 2nd December 2026.
CENSUS 2026 — LEH DEN KONT YOU OOH!
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