The Democratic Republic of Congo has embarked on its first national census in more than 40 years, in a landmark effort that officials and international partners say could transform governance and development across one of Africa’s largest and most complex states.
The exercise, announced this week with the backing of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), marks the first attempt since 1984 to establish an accurate count of the country’s population. For decades, authorities have relied on projections and outdated estimates, complicating everything from infrastructure planning to healthcare provision.
“This is a historic moment,” said Diene Keita, UNFPA representative in the country, describing the census as a decisive break from years of statistical uncertainty. In a notable show of political commitment, the Congolese government has contributed $30 million directly to the census fund, a move Ms Keita characterised as both “extraordinary” and emblematic of a renewed focus on evidence-based governance.
The central African nation, which spans vast rainforests, remote river systems and conflict-affected regions, faces formidable logistical challenges in carrying out such an exercise. Parts of the east remain unstable, with territory under the influence of the M23 rebels, limiting access for census workers and raising concerns about the completeness of the count.
Nevertheless, organisers insist that advances in technology will allow them to overcome many of these barriers. UNFPA teams are deploying geospatial mapping tools and artificial intelligence to identify and estimate populations in hard-to-reach areas, including regions inaccessible by road or river.
“Modern tools allow us to go beyond traditional enumeration,” Ms Keita said. “We are mapping settlements, analysing satellite imagery, and working closely with local actors to ensure no one is left out.”
Community engagement has been identified as a cornerstone of the initiative. Provincial governors, religious leaders and traditional authorities are being mobilised to encourage participation and build trust in a process that, in some regions, is unfamiliar or viewed with suspicion. Officials say such collaboration will be essential to achieving a credible outcome in a country where state presence is often limited.
Beyond the technical and logistical dimensions, the census is being framed as a transformative tool for development. Reliable population data is expected to guide decisions on where to build schools, hospitals and transport links, addressing long-standing inequalities between urban centres and remote communities.
For women, improved data could help target maternal health services more effectively, potentially reducing preventable conditions such as obstetric fistula. For young people, the census itself is generating employment, with thousands recruited as enumerators, supervisors and data processors in a country where formal job opportunities are scarce.
Analysts say the implications extend well beyond immediate development gains. Accurate population figures underpin electoral systems, fiscal planning and international investment decisions. Without them, policymakers are effectively operating in the dark.
“Guesswork is no longer acceptable,” Ms Keita said. “Countries that want to be taken seriously on the global stage must start with reliable data.”
The absence of a census for over four decades has placed the Democratic Republic of Congo at a disadvantage compared with many of its African peers, several of which have conducted multiple population counts in the same period. As a result, estimates of the country’s population — widely believed to exceed 100 million — vary significantly, complicating efforts to allocate resources fairly.
Despite optimism surrounding the initiative, challenges remain. Concerns over corruption, funding constraints and security risks continue to cast a shadow over the process. Ensuring transparency and public confidence will be critical if the results are to be accepted domestically and internationally.
Even so, the decision to proceed has been widely welcomed as a sign of political will in difficult circumstances. The government’s financial contribution, at a time of competing pressures on public finances, has been interpreted as a signal that long-term planning is being prioritised.
For Ms Keita, the census represents more than a statistical exercise. “Knowing the real population of the DRC will fundamentally change how policies are designed and implemented,” she said.
In a region often defined by volatility, the initiative is being held up as a rare example of forward-looking governance. “Seeing a country commit to its future, even during difficult times, gives me hope for Africa,” she added.
If successful, the census could provide a blueprint for other nations grappling with outdated data, demonstrating that even in challenging environments, the pursuit of accurate information can lay the foundation for more effective and equitable development.
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