The Director General of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), Yusuf Murangwa, has revealed that the upcoming National census, scheduled for August this year, will cost Rwf16.5 billion.

Murangwa said that 50 per cent of the funding will come from government, and the rest is expected from development partners like the UNFPA, World Bank and European Union among others.

The population of Rwanda has been said to be increasing from 8 million people since the last census conducted in 2002. This National Census will enable the government to lay down its development policies based on the available statistics.

The censor officers will be mainly comprised of teachers and the NISR has launched Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions for those who will conduct the census, while institutions like the National Police have been earmarked to offer logistical support in the process.

Over 270 officials will be trained in the TOT sessions and will be expected to share the knowledge and skills with at least 24,000 more people, who will be involved in the process that is schedule for to be conducted around the country.

The government has called on Rwandans to participate fully in the census through providing accurate information required.