Stats SL Receives 25,000 Tablets Ahead of 2026 Census

Statistics Sierra Leone has received 25,000 branded tablets, power banks and protective cases as preparations continue for the country’s 2026 Population and Housing Census.

The equipment was formally received on October 7 and is intended to serve as the main technology for collecting census information electronically across Sierra Leone.

Devices to support field enumeration

According to Statistics Sierra Leone, census personnel will use the tablets to capture, validate and transmit information directly from the field. The agency said the digital system is expected to improve the efficiency, accuracy and timeliness of the census process.

Built-in validation checks are also expected to help census teams identify and address errors or inconsistencies during enumeration, strengthening the quality of the data collected.

Officials, including Dr. Colins Opiyo, Chief Technical Adviser for the 2026 Census; Samuel Ansumana, Director of Communication and Public Relations; and Moses Johnson, Officer-in-Charge of Operations and Logistics, described the arrival of the equipment as an important milestone in the technical and operational preparations for the exercise.

Additional equipment for digital census

The latest consignment adds to 4,000 tablets received in 2025 for the national cartographic mapping exercise. Together, the equipment forms part of the preparations for a fully digital census.

Statistics Sierra Leone said the procurement of the 25,000 tablets and accompanying accessories was fully funded by the Government of Sierra Leone. The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a credible, accurate, reliable and inclusive census.

Public cooperation sought

Census Night is scheduled for December 1, 2026, with nationwide counting due to begin on December 2. Statistics Sierra Leone said the success of the exercise will depend largely on the active participation and cooperation of citizens and residents.

The agency has called on the public to provide accurate information, cooperate with census personnel and help ensure that every household and individual is counted. It said reliable census data will support national planning, policy formulation, resource allocation and evidence-based decision-making.

Statistics Sierra Leone said it will continue strengthening its systems, processes, technology and technical preparations ahead of the census.