Stats SL Kicks Off Training for 2026 Census Mapping Initiative!

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) is poised to launch an important ten-day nationwide training program for field officers as part of its preparations for the upcoming 2026 Population and Housing Census. This initiative is crucial for the national cartographic mapping exercise, a foundational step in ensuring a credible and inclusive census.

By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope Reporter
Freetown, Sierra Leone – 20th September 2025 – Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) is poised to launch an important ten-day nationwide training program for field officers as part of its preparations for the upcoming 2026 Population and Housing Census. This initiative is crucial for the national cartographic mapping exercise, a foundational step in ensuring a credible and inclusive census.

The training will take place from Monday, 22nd September to Wednesday, 1st October 2025, across regional centers in Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Port Loko, and the Western Area (both Rural and Urban). This simultaneous rollout aims to streamline the process and maximize participation.

The primary objective of the training is to equip selected field personnel with the technical and practical skills necessary for standardized cartographic mapping throughout the country. Participants will learn to utilize modern digital tools, including GPS-enabled devices and Geographic Information System (GIS) software (EADPad). They will be trained to delineate Enumeration Areas (EAs), update boundary and geographic data, and identify and map dwellings, households, and community structures.

This preparatory work is vital to ensuring that every household and structure in Sierra Leone is accurately captured, helping to lay the groundwork for comprehensive national coverage while minimizing the risk of undercounting or duplication.

Cartographic mapping, a key aspect of this initiative, involves creating detailed and accurate maps that represent the geographic layout of the area. For census purposes, this means dividing the country into manageable Enumeration Areas, each assigned to a specific enumerator. This process is essential for ensuring that no individual or community—whether urban, rural, or remote—is overlooked.

By the conclusion of the training, participants are expected to achieve several important outcomes. They will gain proficiency in using digital mapping tools and GIS software, produce updated and accurate maps of Enumeration Areas for all districts, and establish a verified national cartographic database to guide the planning and logistics for the 2026 Census. Additionally, the training will facilitate the effective identification and mapping of informal settlements, remote areas, and evolving community layouts.

Cartographic mapping serves as the backbone of the census process, enabling complete coverage and supporting logistical planning. It enhances the quality, accuracy, and inclusiveness of the final census data. Through this mapping phase, Stats SL aims to strategically deploy enumerators, address logistical challenges, and strengthen the reliability and credibility of the census results.

The 2026 Population and Housing Census is set to be a vital tool for national planning, policy-making, and development programming. By establishing a robust cartographic foundation, Stats SL is taking essential steps toward achieving these national objectives.