The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is advancing its second General Population and Housing Census (RGPH-2) with the official launch of agent recruitment for census mapping operations. This critical phase precedes the main population count scheduled for July 2027.

During a June 1, 2026 press conference in Kinshasa, Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Development Cooperation, outlined the census’s strategic importance. Addressing reporters alongside Alain Akpadji, UNFPA Resident Representative, he emphasized that reliable demographic data is essential for national development planning.

“This operation will enable us to achieve greater precision in our data collection, ensuring we have reliable statistics that cover the entire national territory,” stated Nyembo Mbwizya. He highlighted that the last census conducted in the DRC dates back to 1984, far exceeding the United Nations’ recommended ten-year interval between population counts.

The minister underscored the census’s role in improving governance and service delivery: “We will be able to better understand our population’s living conditions, geographic distribution, and resource allocation needs. This is why the census has remained a national priority.”

Key positions now open for recruitment

The government is seeking qualified professionals to fill several critical roles:

  • Training coordinators to develop and implement training programs for census agents
  • Cartography specialists to conduct geographic mapping across all provinces
  • GIS experts to manage spatial data systems
  • IT assistants to support digital data collection tools

Candidates will be evaluated based on strict merit-based criteria, with the application deadline set for June 7, 2026. Interested applicants can submit their credentials through the dedicated portal at recrutement.rgph.cd.

Nyembo Mbwizya reassured the public that the recruitment process will adhere to principles of transparency, fairness, and equal opportunity: “No fraud, favoritism, or discrimination will be tolerated. Selections will be made solely based on qualifications and clearly defined criteria.”

A national development milestone

The RGPH-2 represents more than four decades of progress since the last census. The government views this operation as a crucial step toward evidence-based policymaking, infrastructure planning, and equitable resource distribution.

“This census will provide data essential for building schools, hospitals, roads, and other vital infrastructure where they are most needed,” explained Alain Akpadji. He noted that the operation requires approximately 192 million USD in funding, with ongoing efforts to mobilize additional resources through a dedicated “Basket Fund” mechanism.

The government has particularly encouraged young professionals and women to apply, seeing this as an opportunity to build local expertise and create temporary employment for thousands of Congolese citizens.

“This census is not just about numbers—it’s about empowering our people with the information they need to shape a better future,” concluded Nyembo Mbwizya. The mapping phase, currently underway in Kinshasa, will gradually expand to other provinces before the main population count begins in mid-2027.