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Experiences and Lessons▶
1. Project Planning and Management2. Geospatial Mapping and EA Database3. Enumeration Instruments and Tools4. Data Capture and Management5. Census Testing and Pilots6. Recruitment and Training7. Deployment and Supervision8. Enumeration and Logistics9. Quality Assurance and Risk Management10. Census Analysis and Products11. Partnerships and Collaboration12. Advocacy and Publicity13. Procurement and Financial Management14. Post-Enumeration Survey15. Alternative Approaches16. Planning Checklist
Case Studies▶
1. Project Planning and Management2. Geospatial Mapping3. Enumeration Instruments4. Data Capture5. Census Testing6. Recruitment and Training7. Deployment and Supervision8. Enumeration and Logistics9. Quality Assurance10. Census Analysis11. Partnerships12. Advocacy13. Procurement14. Post-Enumeration Survey15. Alternative Approaches16. Planning Checklist
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Key implementation areas for partnerships and collaboration in a digital census​

Partnerships are a direct response to the primary challenges of conducting a digital census in the African context, so the following should be considered:

  • Digital censuses are expensive, requiring investment in hardware, software, and training. Partnerships are crucial for mobilising financial resources to fill funding gaps.

  • Many NSOs lack the in-house capacity to develop, deploy, and manage the complex IT infrastructure required, so partnerships and collaboration offset the technological deficits that may exist. Mobile network operator partnerships that involve negotiating bulk data contracts with the NSO to ensure seamless data transmission. In some cases, subsidised communication for the census team can be negotiated, which helps enumerators easily contact supervisors for real-time guidance.

  • There is often a scarcity of local experts in some areas like cybersecurity, geospatial analysis, and large-scale data management, partnerships and collaboration can fill the expertise shortages. Universities and research centres provide intellectual capital and analytical power.

  • Procuring and distributing hundreds of thousands of devices, ensuring connectivity, and managing fieldwork across vast and sometimes difficult terrain is a massive undertaking. Partnerships and collaboration can relieve the logistical complexities.

  • Overcoming public skepticism about data collection, especially digital data, requires credible voices and community engagement that NSOs may struggle to achieve on their own. Partnerships and collaboration can support in building public trust.