Kigali, 21 January 2022, The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) donated Laptops and their accessories worth $333,562 to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) to facilitate the 5th Rwanda Population & Housing Census 2022.

201 laptops, Dell i7 generation, its statistical and demographic software and accessories handed over to National Institute of statistics of Rwanda in preparation of 5th Population and Housing Census

Covid19 pandemic poses the biggest risk to census implementation globally but even more in Africa where use of technology is not enhanced. Plans and implementation of the 2022 Rwanda Population and Housing census calls for new methods for data capture, in addition field operations are being planned taking into account measures that reduce the spread of Covid19, the protocols by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization will have to be adhered to. 

As part of the continuous support to NISR to efficiently conduct the 5th Rwanda Population & Housing Census 2022, UNFPA Rwanda handed over IT equipment that will facilitate remote management of field operations while keeping staff protected from COVID19. 

“It is within the UNFPA mandate and mission, to support countries in using population data for policies and programs. We are proud of Rwanda for leading in many development initiatives, amid covid19 pandemic, with this equipment handed over to NISR, we hope to see reliable and timely updated population Data while keeping the staff safe” said Kwabena Asante-Ntiamoah, UNFPA Representative.

“UNFPA Rwanda appreciates the work and progress done by NISR, in the preparation of the 5th Population and Housing Census 2022 preparation.” Kwabena added 

UNFPA Rwanda Representative KWABENA Asante-Ntiamoah signing in handover document of IT equipment to Nation Institute of Statistics of Rwanda in preparation of 5th population and Housing Census 2022

The 201 laptops, Dell i7 generation, its statistical and demographic software and accessories handed over will be used by census staff to work remotely and ensure that census activities are implemented in a timely manner and at the same time they are protected from Covid19. The laptops will strengthen the capacity of NISR in analysis and generation of requisite tables during the report preparation phase. The laptops will afterwards be used to strengthen the national statistical system. 

“These equipment come at a good time when NISR is preparing for a digital census, the laptops will increase staff capacity to analyze incoming data, easing remote management of field operations and continue to facilitate the safety of staff and to curtail the spread of covid19. We are grateful for UNFPA’s long standing relationship and valuable support,” Yusuf Murangwa, NISR Director General.

Yusuf MURANGWA, the Director General of National Institute of Statistic of Rwanda signing in of receiving the IT equipment in preparation of 5th population and Housing Census 2022

Rwanda opted for a digital census using new technology for data collection. In the past census data entry of paper based questionnaires was used. Currently, the methodology is based on using tablets/smart phones to collect data from households and respondents. This is a method of data collection in which an interviewer uses tablets/smart phones to display questions and accept responses during a face-to-face interview. In addition, field operations are being planned taking into account measures that reduce the spread of Covid19, the protocols by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization.  

United Nations Agency for Sexual and Reproductive Health (UNFPA) uses its comparative advantages to support the government of Rwanda to generate, analyze and use data on population dynamics to inform planning, policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of interventions in development and humanitarian settings. UNFPA Disaggregated data are crucial to monitor the progress to achieve Sustainable Development goals.

UNFPA Rwanda Representative KWABENA Asante-Ntiamoah and NISR DG Yusuf MURANGWA after signing off official document of handover of IT Equipment