Sierra Leone: Authorities Advance Preparations for First Fully Digital Population and Housing Census

FREETOWN, Oct 18 – Sierra Leone has entered the final countdown to its 2026 Population and Housing Census, the country’s first fully digital enumeration exercise, with officials and development partners urging nationwide participation.

The process aims to improve data quality for planning. Separately, the government confirmed that a cybersecurity incident affecting the national “.sl” domain system was contained on the day it occurred, with 44 affected website addresses restored within hours and no evidence of continuing unauthorised access.

Local outlets including @Sierraloaded and @awokonewspaper reported on related developments such as moves toward a national conflict-prevention strategy and community events. On X, @AlphajorbaBah noted public accounts of urban security incidents in Freetown and called for greater accountability alongside concerns over the country’s international image.