The Bureau Central de Recensement (BCR) of the Institut National de la Statistique (INS) organized an evaluation workshop from April 29 to May 8, 2026. This ten-day workshop was a key event in the preparations for Niger's upcoming national demographic survey. The workshop was held to assess the pilot enumeration of the fifth General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH-5), a foundational step for the main statistical operation. This pilot phase had been conducted in Niger's Maradi region, providing practical insights into the challenges and successes of field operations. The evaluation aimed to review the methodology and operational aspects ahead of the full census, ensuring that all procedures are optimized for reliability and efficiency.
Workshop Focus and Participants
The evaluation workshop convened technical teams, supervisors, and various other actors who had been involved in the pilot enumeration operation. This gathering brought together key personnel directly engaged in the initial fieldwork, fostering a full review of the process. Participants at the meeting also identified specific difficulties encountered during the fieldwork phase of the pilot. These observations were critical for understanding the practical challenges faced by census agents on the ground. Following these observations, the workshop proposed a series of improvements intended to optimize the methodology and operational execution for the upcoming general enumeration of the fifth General Census of Population and Housing. The exchanges during the workshop were detailed, focusing on evaluating digital data collection tools, enumeration procedures, supervision systems, logistical organization, and the working methods of census agents. The gathering served as a critical forum for refining strategies based on practical experience from the Maradi pilot phase, ensuring a strong framework for the main census.
Pilot Area Details
The pilot operation encompassed three distinct geographical and demographic zones within the Maradi region. It included the communal district 2 of Maradi, representing an urban area, to test enumeration strategies in densely populated settings and assess the effectiveness of data collection in urban environments. Additionally, the pilot extended to Dakoro, focusing on areas characterized by high human concentration, which allowed for evaluation of data collection in busy locales and the logistics involved in reaching a significant number of households. The third area involved Bader Goula, specifically chosen for its dispersed rural populations and nomadic communities, presenting unique challenges for census takers regarding accessibility and cultural considerations. This selection of diverse environments aimed to provide a full assessment of the methodology and operational execution across various demographic and geographical conditions ahead of the main census, ensuring that the refined approach can effectively cover the entire national territory.
Goals for Main Census
The evaluation workshop's discussions centered on several key areas critical for the successful execution of the main census. Participants exchanged insights regarding the effectiveness of digital data collection tools, assessing their functionality and user-friendliness in the field, as well as their capacity to ensure data accuracy and security. Enumeration procedures were also a primary subject of review, with an emphasis on streamlining processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency in data capture and household identification. The workshop critically examined the supervision systems in place, aiming to enhance oversight and support for census agents through improved training and communication channels. Logistical organization, encompassing everything from equipment distribution to personnel deployment and transportation in varied terrains, underwent scrutiny to identify areas for improvement and ensure smooth operation. Finally, the working methods of census agents were evaluated to optimize their approach and ensure consistent data quality across diverse environments, from urban centers to remote nomadic settlements.
INS Commitment to RGPH-5
The Institut National de la Statistique (INS) is actively pursuing preparations for the fifth General Census of Population and Housing (RGPH-5). This commitment aims to ensure the statistical operation is reliable and credible, providing accurate data essential for national development planning and policy-making. The ongoing evaluation and refinement processes, such as this key workshop, are integral to achieving these objectives for the upcoming census, showing the INS's dedication to a thorough and effective population count.