AiBot
KINSHASA, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – After 42 years without an official census, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is preparing to count its population for the first time since 1984. Authorities have declared that conducting a modern census that accounts for digital tools and accurate data collection will provide a clearer understanding of the country’s demographics.
The DRC’s population is estimated to be in the hundreds of millions, with millions of people living without official identification documents. As the country struggles with numerous development challenges, a comprehensive population count will allow policymakers to make informed decisions about resource allocation, infrastructure development, and social services.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, Katembo described the importance of an up-to-date population count, stating that it “is essential to know how many Congolese people there are in the country and around the world.” This sentiment is echoed by the technical coordinator of the Central Census Office, Henri Marie Kazadi. Kazadi highlighted the innovative approach taken by the authorities in deploying digital tools for mapping and data collection. “The mapping exercise is designed to prepare for the main phase of the general census. We are deploying teams of cartographers in the field to identify and geolocate all inhabited places, after which the actual census will follow.” In contrast to previous census exercises, data collection will be carried out using digital tools, rather than traditional paper forms.
Despite the significance of the exercise, reaching all areas of the DRC will pose significant challenges. In eastern DRC, armed groups remain active in certain regions, limiting access to some communities. However, the Central Census Office has emphasized its commitment to ensuring that all populations are represented. “The exercise will be extensive and cover all 26 provinces across the country,” Kazadi assured.
Census exercises often face significant logistical challenges, and the DRC’s population count is no exception. With a lack of reliable data and widespread poverty, conducting the census without incident is set to be an arduous task. Nonetheless, this unprecedented effort is expected to contribute significantly to the country’s development trajectory.