Statistics Sierra Leone Begins Training For Pilot Cartographic Field Staff Ahead Of 2026 Digital Census
By: Sorie Sesay
Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) has officially commenced training for pilot cartographic field staff in preparation for the country’s first-ever Digital Population and Housing Census, set to be conducted in December 2026.
The training, which took place at Hotel 5/10 in Shell, Freetown, involved 30 field staff from Stats SL who will participate in the pilot phase of the cartographic mapping exercise. This critical exercise serves as the groundwork for dividing the country into enumeration areas, an essential step toward achieving an accurate and inclusive national headcount.
Chairman of the Statistics Sierra Leone Council, Mr. Moses Williams, emphasized the institutional responsibility in ensuring the census is successful. “If the upcoming Digital Census goes well, the credit goes to Statistics Sierra Leone. If it fails, we must take the blame,” he said. He described the pilot phase as a test of tools and processes that will help determine the human resource requirements for the full mapping exercise.
“This is the foundation of a good census,” Williams stressed, urging the selected staff to approach their duties with utmost seriousness. “If this pilot fails, the country stands to lose accurate data that could shape its development.”
Statistician General and Chief Census Officer, Mr. Andrew Bob Johnny, described the pilot cartographic mapping as the “roadmap” to the Digital Census. In an interview, he explained the importance of advance planning: “Before collecting socio-economic and demographic data, the country must be divided into manageable enumeration areas – ideally of 80 to 100 households each.”
He emphasized that accuracy depends on sound planning, the use of digital systems, and full inclusivity. “This training is for the trainers – the team that will later be responsible for preparing over 500 mappers who will be deployed across various regions and districts,” Johnny said.
Consultant for the 2026 Digital Census, Dr. (Mrs.) Foluke Adebayo, underscored the importance of inclusivity in the mapping process. “Everyone must be counted. Every locality must be visited. No one should be left out,” she said. “Census mapping is the foundation of the census. Its success will determine whether the census itself will be successful.”
She appealed to the trainees to remain committed, reminding them that their efforts serve the nation beyond just monetary reward.
The pilot cartographic mapping marks a major step toward the execution of a comprehensive and technology-driven census in Sierra Leone. With training now underway, officials say the process lays the cornerstone for reliable data that will guide national planning and development for years to come.
