On October 30, 2026, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Judith Suminwa Tuluka, took part in the mapping exercise for the second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-2) at her residence in Kinshasa. Accompanied by her husband, she was interviewed by a team of agents responsible for the operation, along with members of her household. This exercise aims to encourage households to cooperate with teams deployed in the field.
Judith Suminwa emphasized that the census is a civic responsibility that applies to everyone, regardless of social position or occupation. By participating in the exercise, she set an example and demonstrated her commitment to the initiative. The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the RGPH-2 for national development planning, as it will provide updated demographic statistics to help authorities better understand the population's size, needs, and living conditions.
The availability of accurate statistical data will enable public authorities to make informed decisions, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and resource allocation. Judith Suminwa, who previously served at the Ministry of Planning, stressed the need for reliable statistical information to define priorities and tailor public interventions to the realities of each territory.
The Prime Minister also emphasized the significance of digital mapping, a crucial step in the data collection process. She encouraged all Congolese citizens, including those in rural areas, to collaborate with the teams responsible for the operation. Her message was directed at households, family heads, and foreigners residing in the DRC.
Judith Suminwa invited all citizens to participate in the census, stating that it will enable authorities to better understand the population and plan more effective development for the country's 145 territories. The Prime Minister's household participation was part of a sensitization campaign to promote population adherence to the RGPH-2.
The goal of the campaign is to educate citizens on the importance of each household as a vital unit in producing national statistics, which will serve as a reference for development policies. After the mapping phase launched in Kinshasa, operations are expected to gradually expand to the country's 25 other provinces.
The mapping exercise will precede the general census, scheduled for July 2027. Judith Suminwa's participation and appeal to citizens aim to promote a successful census, which will provide essential data for the country's development.
Key points
- DR Congo's Prime Minister participates in national census to encourage citizens to do same.
- Census aims to provide updated demographic statistics for national development planning.
- Prime Minister emphasizes civic responsibility and importance of accurate statistical data.
