The Democratic Republic of the Congo is preparing to conduct its second general census, more than four decades after the last one in 1984.
On Monday, March 23, officials in Kinshasa convened major donors for a roundtable aimed at securing financial support for the upcoming population and housing census. The initiative has been deemed a national priority by the presidency.
“To continue planning without reliable data would be like governing without visibility,” said President Félix Tshisekedi.
According to authorities, nearly $210 million in pledges have been made, exceeding the estimated budget of $192 million. Part of the funds will also support the electoral process and strengthen the National Statistics Institute, in addition to financing the census.
The first phase of the operation, mapping, is expected to begin as early as July 2026.
The stakes are high: the last official census data dates back to 1984, when the country’s population was approximately 30 million. Current estimates suggest the population has grown to over 110 million, highlighting the urgent need for updated data.
Participants at the donor roundtable emphasized that completing the census is critical for aligning public policies with current realities on the ground.
