Landmark census operation to reshape DRC’s development planning

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has officially launched the recruitment of agents for the critical mapping phase of its second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-2), marking a decisive step toward the national enumeration scheduled for July 2027.

Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Development Coordination, made the announcement during a press briefing on June 1, 2026, emphasizing that this long-awaited operation will finally provide reliable demographic data after 42 years without an updated census.

Why a new census matters

“Accurate population data is the foundation of effective governance and development planning,” stated Minister Nyembo. “The last comprehensive census in our country dates back to 1984, while the United Nations recommends conducting such operations every decade to inform policy decisions, infrastructure development, and resource allocation.”

The RGPH-2 aims to deliver precise statistics covering the entire national territory, enabling authorities to:

• Improve public service delivery
• Enhance policy formulation
• Optimize resource distribution
• Support evidence-based decision making

Key roles and recruitment criteria

The government is seeking qualified professionals for several critical positions:

• Training specialists to educate field agents
• Cartography experts to delineate enumeration areas
• GIS specialists for spatial data management
• IT assistants to support digital systems

“We are committed to transparency and meritocracy in this recruitment process,” assured Minister Nyembo. “Every candidate will be evaluated based on strict professional criteria with no room for favoritism or discrimination.”

National priority with youth opportunities

The initiative represents more than just data collection—it’s a national priority that offers temporary employment opportunities for thousands of Congolese, particularly young professionals and women. The government encourages qualified candidates from all provinces to apply through the dedicated platform: recrutement.rgph.cd.

Timeline and financing

The census process consists of four phases:

1. Partner mobilization and funding (completed)
2. Field mapping with recruited agents (currently underway)
3. National enumeration (July 2027)
4. Data processing and dissemination

With an estimated total budget of $192 million, the government is actively seeking additional funding through a “Basket Fund” mechanism to ensure the operation’s successful completion.

Looking ahead

President Félix Tshisekedi had pledged to conduct a new census during his election campaign, and this recruitment launch demonstrates the administration’s commitment to fulfilling that promise. The census will provide essential data to guide the country’s development trajectory for the coming decades.