On 9th September 2024, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio officially proclaimed the conduct of a Decennial Population and Housing Census (PHC) in 2025. As part of the preparatory activities, a seven-member delegation of technical experts from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the United States Census Bureau (USCB), and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) concluded a five-day technical and results-oriented assessment and support mission at Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) on Friday, 13th January 2025.
The mission aimed to evaluate Stats SL’s preparedness and capacity to conduct the 2025 Digital Census, leveraging lessons from the 2021 Mid-Term Digital Census. The delegation specifically identified key areas requiring support and collaboration to ensure the successful execution of the census.
The experts utilized the Tool for Assessing Statistical Capacity (TASC), a globally recognized instrument designed to qualitatively measure and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of National Statistical Offices (NSOs) in preparation for censuses or surveys. TASC was administered to Stats SL’s executive management and staff, covering various census components, including:Institutional Capacity, Planning and Management, Mapping and Sampling, Questionnaire Content and Testing, Field Operations.
The assessment revealed that Stats SL possesses the professional capacity to undertake the 2025 Digital Census and has made commendable progress in aligning its processes with international standards. Key accomplishments include: Establishing a robust census coordination and management structure.
However, areas requiring capacity building were identified, including mapping, sampling, data processing, mobile data capture, data analysis and evaluation, questionnaire content, testing, and publicity. These gaps necessitate targeted training and resource allocation.
Statistician General and Chief Census Officer, Andrew Bob Johnny, expressed gratitude for the thorough assessment and pledged to prioritize the findings to enhance census planning and execution.
UNFPA Sierra Leone Officer-in-Charge, Sibeso Mululuma, commended Stats SL for showcasing its technical capacity and emphasized that the mission’s findings would be pivotal in addressing existing gaps and guiding effective census implementation. She reiterated UNFPA’s commitment to supporting the census process.
Secretary to the President, Dr. Emmanuel Gaima, highlighted the government’s dedication to ensuring inclusivity and citizen engagement in the census, describing it as a national priority. Dr. Gaima assured that the findings would be presented to President Bio for further action.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barley, praised the collaborative efforts of Stats SL and the technical delegation. She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing necessary resources for the census, revealing that a dedicated account for census funds had been established at the Bank of Sierra Leone.
Minister Barley officially declared the mission’s work concluded, emphasizing that the assessment marked a critical step in the journey toward a credible, inclusive, and internationally accredited census.
The mission is part of several preparatory initiatives designed to ensure the successful implementation of the 2025 Digital Census, a vital national endeavor poised to shape policy and development planning in Sierra Leone
