President Bio Announces 2026 Nationwide Population Census.

President Julius Maada Bio has officially announced that Sierra Leone will conduct a nationwide Population and Housing Census later this year, describing the exercise as a critical step toward strengthening national development planning.

The announcement was made during a Presidential Town Hall Meeting in Makeni, where the President reassured citizens that the census process would be carried out in a transparent, inclusive, and credible manner, free from any form of political interference.

Addressing concerns often associated with national census exercises, President Bio emphasized his government’s commitment to ensuring fairness and accuracy throughout the data collection process, noting that the exercise would serve the interests of all Sierra Leoneans.

He called on citizens across the country to fully participate in the census, stressing that an accurate population count is essential for effective national planning, equitable distribution of resources, and improved delivery of social services.

According to the President, the census will provide critical data needed to guide government policies, development programmes, and infrastructure planning, while also supporting decision-making in sectors such as health, education, housing, and employment.

The forthcoming census is expected to play a significant role in shaping Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development agenda and ensuring that government interventions are aligned with the realities and needs of the population.