Sierra Leone has taken an important step toward strengthening its national planning systems with the launch of three major data initiatives, a moment that officials describe as a shift toward evidence-driven development. The event brought together government representatives, UN agencies, and the country’s statistical authority, all reaffirming a shared commitment to improving how national decisions are made.
The initiatives include preparations for the 2026 Population and Housing Census, the introduction of a Medium-Term National Development Plan Dashboard, and a new programme called The Power of Data Initiative. Together, they aim to give policymakers and partners clearer, more reliable information about the country and its people.
Speaking at the ceremony, UNFPA Country Representative Kunle Adeniyi reminded the audience that data does not simply belong to institutions but to citizens themselves. “Data is a national resource that belongs to the people,” he said, stressing that better information allows governments to respond more effectively to community needs.
Officials explained that the new tools are designed to reduce guesswork in national planning. This means that, with stronger data systems, the government will be able to track development indicators more accurately, identify gaps in services, and direct resources where they are most needed. Areas that will benefit directly from these improvements include maternal health, education, youth development, and community welfare.
Another key milestone announced at the event was the start of the Pilot Census enumeration, which begins tonight in selected districts. The pilot serves as a crucial test run before the national census in 2026, allowing teams to strengthen logistics, refine technology, and make sure the process is inclusive and reliable. Experts described the exercise as a “dress rehearsal” that will help Sierra Leone meet the highest global standards when the full count begins.
UNFPA reaffirmed that it will continue to support the country through every stage of the census and the broader national data reform agenda. The agency underscored that stronger statistics will help Sierra Leone measure progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that every community is represented.
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These launches signal Sierra Leone’s renewed commitment to transparency, planning, and to the principle that national development must be fact-based, rather than assumption-based, a method many hope will improve service delivery and lend greater equity to public investment across the country.
