By Joseph Momoh, Daily Scope Reporter
Freetown, 16 December 2025 — Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has convened a crucial high-level meeting with international independent monitors to evaluate the findings from the recently completed Pilot Population and Housing Census. This gathering, held at the Conference Hall of Kona Lodge, is a significant step in preparing for the upcoming national census scheduled for 2026.
Representatives from various regional and international organizations, including the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the Mano River Union, and the United Kingdom’s Office for National Statistics, joined Stats SL’s senior management in discussions focused on observations, risks, and recommendations stemming from the pilot census monitoring.
Statistician General Andrew Bob Johnny welcomed the delegates, expressing gratitude for their ongoing technical assistance throughout the monitoring process. He emphasized the value of their feedback, which will allow Stats SL ample time to address any challenges identified before the main census occurs.
“The importance of discussing these observations, especially regarding operational and physical issues, cannot be overstated,” Johnny asserted, assuring participants that all recommendations would be rigorously reviewed and implemented.
During the meeting, Johnny outlined three priority areas needing urgent attention, as identified by the Independent Monitors:
- Streamlining the census questionnaire to conform with international standards for improved efficiency.
- Enhancing stakeholder engagement to adequately capture data needs related to disability and other country-specific factors.
- Transitioning fully from Paper and Pencil Interviewing (PAPI) to Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) to boost data quality and reduce interview durations.
In his project update, Abdulai Salia Brima, Director and National Census Coordinator, reported that preparations for the 2026 census are on track, despite facing some hurdles. He explained that formal preparations commenced in 2024, following the validation of a comprehensive project proposal by UNFPA and the European Commission.
Brima noted substantial improvements since Sierra Leone’s inaugural digital census in 2021, particularly in public acceptance and the CAPI system’s effectiveness. The pilot census was essential for rigorously testing the systems and applications in collaboration with UNFPA and UNECA.
The Independent Monitors reported high enthusiasm and understanding of the census among field staff and local authorities. They noted sufficient staffing, significant enhancements in CAPI performance, and effective resolutions to technical challenges. Additionally, the pilot’s diverse geographic coverage was praised, with suggestions for including a high-profile area in Freetown in future tests.
Nonetheless, several risks were identified, including insufficient use of operational data for effective field management, a potential financing gap of approximately USD 13 million, and pressures on Stats SL due to overlapping surveys such as the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) and the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS).
Looking ahead, Independent Monitors are expected to submit their final reports to UNFPA and Stats SL soon. Following this, UNFPA will consolidate these findings into a comprehensive report, while Stats SL will prepare actionable plans, revise census tools and training materials, and organize a data analysis workshop to further refine preparations.
In closing, Deputy Statistician General Lansana Kanneh commended the independent monitors for their invaluable contributions, describing the pilot monitoring as a vital initiative. He reaffirmed Stats SL’s commitment to best practices, inclusivity, and transparency, underscoring a renewed focus on national ownership under the guiding principle of “a census by the people and for the people.”
Overall, the meeting concluded with optimism, as stakeholders expressed confidence that insights gained from the pilot census would significantly enhance preparations, setting the stage for a credible, inclusive, and high-quality Population and Housing Census in 2026.
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