The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Honourable Kenyeh Barlay, officially addressed a high-level delegation of international experts during the opening session of the assessment mission for Sierra Leone’s 2025 Population and Housing Census. Held at the New Brookfields Hotel, the event brought together representatives from the U.S. Census Bureau, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) to evaluate the nation’s preparedness for the upcoming census.

The week-long mission, running from January 13 to January 17, 2025, aims to assess critical components of the census process, including logistics, technological infrastructure, legal frameworks, human resource capabilities, and stakeholder engagement. With Sierra Leone transitioning to a fully digital census, the delegation’s expertise is expected to enhance the country’s readiness and identify areas requiring further support to ensure compliance with international standards.

Speaking during the opening session, Honourable Barlay underscored the government’s commitment to delivering a credible census, emphasizing the critical role it plays in national development. “The results of this census will provide vital data for equitable resource distribution, policy formulation, and evidence-based decision-making,” she said. She also noted that significant progress had been made, including the passage of the Statutory Instrument No. 8 of 2024, the establishment of a dedicated census account at the Bank of Sierra Leone, and high-level engagement with development partners.

The Deputy Representative of UNFPA, Sibeso Mululuma, highlighted the importance of the census in capturing demographic, social, and economic characteristics, which are essential for designing effective policies to address the needs of Sierra Leone’s population. She reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting the government in conducting a comprehensive and inclusive census.

Paul Voortrekker, representing the United States Embassy, praised the government’s efforts in coordinating the census process, emphasizing the importance of accountability, transparency, and robust statistical systems. Similarly, World Bank Country Manager Abdu Muwonge lauded the government’s commitment to quality data collection and pledged continued support for institutional and financial readiness.

UN Resident Coordinator Saraphine Wakana emphasized the significance of the census for governance and sustainable development. “Censuses provide critical data for effective policy decisions, resource allocation, and social progress,” she said. Wakana also called for strong collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the success of the census.

The 2025 Population and Housing Census is Sierra Leone’s sixth decennial census and builds on the lessons learned from the 2021 Mid-Term Census. With the adoption of digital technology, the census aims to improve data accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility, strengthening the foundation for evidence-based national planning.

As the mission progresses, the government and its partners are optimistic that the expertise and recommendations of the assessment team will lay the groundwork for a successful and impactful census, contributing to Sierra Leone’s development aspirations.

For further information, please contact Alfred Kabia on +23279174027 or visit the Ministry’s official social media handles: Twitter-@moped2024, on Facebook and website: Moped.gov.sl