DRC census 2027: government recruits mapping agents for population count

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is advancing toward its second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-2), with the official launch of agent recruitment for census mapping operations. The actual population count is scheduled to begin in July 2027, marking a historic milestone over four decades since the last census in 1984.

Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation, made the announcement during a press briefing on June 1, 2026, emphasizing the census’s critical role in national development and governance. He stated that reliable demographic data is essential for effective planning and policy formulation, as the last census data dates back to 1984, far exceeding the United Nations’ recommended 10-year interval.

“This operation will enable us to achieve greater precision, obtain more reliable data, and improve the governance of our country. That is why I can confirm that the census has always been a priority. We needed to meet the necessary conditions, and today, those conditions are in place,” Nyembo Mbwizya explained. “We have officially launched this operation, and we are currently in the mapping phase. The actual enumeration is set for July 2027, with all measures taken to ensure there are no delays or quality issues.”

The recruitment drive targets professionals including trainer of trainers, cartographic operators, geographic information systems (GIS) specialists, and ICT assistants. These agents will conduct field mapping to precisely define enumeration areas and ensure comprehensive population coverage. The minister stressed that candidates will be evaluated based on strict competence and merit criteria, with applications closing on June 7, 2026. Interested individuals can apply via the dedicated platform: recrutement.rgph.cd.

“I assure the public that this recruitment will be conducted with full transparency, meritocracy, equity, and equal opportunity. No fraud, abuse, discrimination, favoritism, or special treatment will be tolerated. Applications will be reviewed and selected based on clearly defined criteria,” Nyembo Mbwizya stated.

An opportunity for youth and women

The government views this census as an opportunity to harness local talent and create temporary employment for thousands of Congolese, particularly encouraging qualified youth and women to apply. “This operation represents a significant opportunity for many young people across the country. It will mobilize thousands of local skills in service of the nation,” the minister noted.

The recruitment will be conducted locally to promote talent across all provinces, starting with Kinshasa before expanding to other regions. Nyembo Mbwizya called for national ownership of the process, urging citizens to fully embrace it.

This recruitment phase follows the organization of a partners’ roundtable, which secured commitments for adequate, predictable, and sustainable financing to address demographic challenges and ensure the smooth execution of RGPH-2. The total estimated cost of the operations, at $192 million, poses a significant challenge, with additional funding expected from technical and financial partners through a Basket Fund mechanism.

The DRC’s push for a new census reflects a long-awaited commitment to modernize its demographic data, a promise made by President Félix Tshisekedi before his election. After more than four decades, the country is finally poised to achieve this essential milestone for its development.